Green Bay Reporter

The Green Bay Packers' nominee, Mariano Talamantez, has been named the male winner of the 2024 NFL Latino Youth Honors Award. This national award is presented by the NFL and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF). The announcement was made on Thursday night at the NFL Honors event.

Mariano Talamantez is a senior student at St. Catherine's High School in Racine, Wisconsin. He is an accomplished All-State linebacker and a two-time team captain. Additionally, he has earned the title of Metro Classic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and is a state champion. Alongside his athletic achievements, Talamantez maintains a 3.72 GPA, showcasing his dedication to academics. He plans to continue his education at Carthage College next fall, where he will also play football.

This year, all 32 NFL clubs were invited to nominate one male and one female high school senior football player for this program. The program acknowledges outstanding Latino high school tackle and flag football athletes for their academic and athletic achievements across the country. Out of 59 nominees, eight finalists were selected from each of the NFL's divisions.

The female winner this year is Sophie Guitron from Redondo Beach, California, who was nominated by the Los Angeles Rams as a flag football athlete.

Both winners, Talamantez and Guitron, will receive a $25,000 grant to support their college education. The other six finalists will receive grants worth $5,000 each. These finalists are also participating in special events during Super Bowl LIX Week in New Orleans aimed at providing mentorship and resources for pursuing careers in professional sports. They will attend the Super Bowl as part of these activities.

Talamantez will also be invited to HHF's National Youth Awards ceremony later this year.

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation was established by the White House in 1987 as a nonprofit organization that aims to inspire and connect minority leaders in various fields such as education and community service while promoting cultural pride and accomplishment through public awareness campaigns.