Steelers honor 11 high school football players with Jerome Bettis Leadership Award

By: Chris Harlan
Friday, January 2, 2026 | 5:10 PM

The Pittsburgh Steelers honored 11 WPIAL and City League football players Friday as recipients of the Jerome Bettis Leadership Award.

Designated for athletes “who go above and beyond to provide mentor-like support for their teammates,” this year’s award winners were South Fayette’s Connor Hiser, Bethel Park’s Charles Simmons, Greensburg Salem’s Max Topper, Aliquippa’s Marques Council Jr., West Greene’s Colin Whyte, Seneca Valley’s Tommy Wuycheck, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart’s Kassius Gildon, Central Valley’s Adam Shroads, Mars’ Jonnie Maestra, Beaver Falls’ Christian Dawkins and Allderdice’s Lukas Stead.

The winners received a $1,000 donation to their school’s football program and were recognized Friday in Homestead at an event hosted by the Best of the Batch Foundation founded by former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch.

The players, chosen throughout the high school football season, were also honored at Steelers home games this fall.

The award is named for former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis, a 2015 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Aliquippa, Allderdice, Beaver Falls, Bethel Park, Central Valley, Greensburg Salem, Mars, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Seneca Valley, South Fayette, West Greene