David Johnson to Enjoy NFL Hall of Fame Weekend as an Award for Excellence Finalist

David Johnson, a rising senior at Calvert High School in Calvert County, has been named as one of 25 finalists for the US Army-Pro Football Hall of Fame Award.

The award is open to any high school sophomore, junior or senior in the country. The finalists are selected from a pool of hundreds of applicants. They are chosen based off numerous different criterion, including athletic, academic and civic achievements.

For being named a finalist, Johnson will be in Canton, Ohio this weekend to be a part of the NFL Hall of Fame's induction festivities. Last night, he got to be on the field for halftime and warm-ups for the Hall of Fame Game, which featured the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals.

On Saturday, Johnson, who is a big Baltimore Ravens fan, will get to attend the actual enshrinement ceremony that will see legends like Ladanian Tomlinson, Jason Taylor and Kurt Warner all get inducted into the Hall of Fame.

"I really can't tell you what I'm most excited for, I'm looking forward to all of it," Johnson said. "I'm really excited to see Kurt Warner get enshrined, he's my all-time favorite quarterback because his backstory. To go all the way from being a bag boy at a grocery store to becoming a Hall of Fame quarterback is just amazing."

Johnson plays left tackle for Calvert's football team, and also competes in the shot put and discus for the Cavaliers' track teams. He's won awards in both sports, picking up Most Improved on the football team his sophomore year, and receiving the Coaches Award in track.

Johnson is also heavily involved in the community. He volunteers with the National Honor Society chapter at his school, participating in roadside cleanups, cleaning up after the school's basketball games and helping with blood drives.

Johnson also volunteers in West Virginia during the summers with the Appalachia Service Project, where he helps reconstruct homes for families in need.

He was nominated for the award by his football head coach, Rick Sneade. When Johnson found out he had been selected as a finalist, he was incredibly excited.

"I was in the car with one of my friends on the way to one of my high school's basketball games when my mom texted me saying the Hall of Fame called and that I got picked," Johnson said. "I couldn't believe it- she sent me a picture with the caller ID to prove it. I was beyond ecstatic."

Back in May, the school held a ceremony for Johnson that was attended by many of his peers and fellow athletes. What was already guaranteed to be a special day for Johnson was enhanced by former Washington Redskin and NFL Hall of Famer Darrell Green being in attendance.

"That ceremony was incredible because all my peers were there, and just hearing them clap for me really showed how much they enjoy my presence in the school," Johnson said.

It's sure to be a memorable weekend for Johnson and his fellow finalists, who Johnson said he's excited to meet.

For Johnson though, he's determined to not let this experience go to his head.

"This whole process has kind of emphasized the fact that it's extremely important to stay humble," Johnson said. "I'm really excited about everything that's happened, but with such a big honor it's possible to get a bigger head, so I'm doing my best to avoid that."

Johnson does not know where he will be attending college yet. He plans to major in mechanical engineering.