For almost 15 years, former University of Toledo quarterback Chuck Ealey’s Undefeated Spirit Foundation has been shining a light on individuals who see adversity and challenges as opportunities to discover and embrace their undefeated spirit to better themselves and their communities, one play at a time.

Beginning in 2008 when he first began honoring University of Toledo Rockets and since 2012, when the undefeated spirits of almost 200 area high school students were revealed, Mr. Ealey and the foundation have celebrated young men and women for their integrity and spirit.

“The year 2020 tested and challenged everyone’s health, hearts and spirits,” said Kristina White, vice president of the foundation. “We have designed this recognition program to identify 2,020 individuals who, throughout the year, chose not to allow circumstances to defeat their spirits.

“The effort is launching in Toledo, but we are inviting people from throughout the nation to tell us about the child, the teenager, the college student, the first responder, the medical professional, the teacher, the restaurant owner, the maintenance or food service person—anyone whose spirit mspired them and others to not give in or give up during these trying times,” Mrs. White explained.

Mr. Ealey never lost a game as quarterback at Portsmouth, Ohio’s Notre Dame High School, she noted. In college at the University of Toledo, he quarterbacked the team and again, never lost a game despite many hardships.

He ended his career with a record of 35-0, a record that has stood for 50 years. He went on to star in the Canadian Football League, and in his first year as a professional, he and his teammates won the Grey Cup, which is Canada’s version of the Super Bowl.

Mr. Ealey is often heard reflecting that, “Something in life will challenge everyone, whether it is a job, health, family or education. We all will face difficult times and tough days. We all will be tested.”

“He has beaten the odds his entire life and has chosen to model his undefeated spirit with everyone,” Mrs. White noted. “During college, he wore jersey No. 16, thus we felt the date of February 16 symbolic. It will be on this date that the portal will become active on undefeatedspirit.com for people to begin recognizing others.

“It is important to stress that this is neither a contest nor a fundraising venture. It truly is an effort to recognize 2,020 deserving individuals.”