Altoona High School receives Fuzzy Thurston memorabilia from NFL to celebrate Super Bowl 50

Altoona (WQOW) - A local high school is catching a touchdown from a legendary NFL player.

Altoona High School was welcomed by the NFL to the 'Super Bowl High School Honor Roll' community in honor of former Green Bay Packers guard Fuzzy Thurston. Memorabilia is on display at his alma mater, and includes a signed Fuzzy Thurston jersey, signed photo and a football from the NFL. 

Scott Hayden, the athletic director at Altoona High School, said he was shocked to learn about the good news. "The principal of the Altoona High School came into my office and said, 'I received something in the mail.' And my first reaction to that is, 'Uh-oh. That might be a bad thing'," Hayden said. "But, he (the principal) told me about the golden football. I've never seen anything like this before. This totally took us by surprise."

Thurston also played for the Baltimore Colts, and nine years with the Packers. Thurston graduated from Altoona in 1951.

More than 2,000 high schools and 3,000 players and head coaches will be recognized as part of the Super Bowl High School Honor Roll. The NFL wants to celebrate players and coaches of the past 49 Super Bowls and put focus on how high schools and the communities have positively impacted them.