Cornelius Griffin thought he was going to watch a basketball game on Tuesday.

Instead, the former Pike County Bulldog found himself standing at center court, holding a commemorative football from the NFL.

“I thought I was going to watch a tournament,” Griffin said. “I didn’t know they were going to honor me before tonight’s game. It’s a great honor and a proud moment for me and Pike County.”

Griffin, who played football for Bulldogs, was nominated as part of the NFL High School Honor Roll for exemplary community service.

Griffin, who played for the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV, was one of nearly 3,000 former athletes and coaches recognized as part of the Super Bowl 50 program. Each was selected based on outstanding efforts to serve the community, and Griffin was honored with a special 50th anniversary golden football produced by Wilson for the NFL.

The nominations were handed out to former athletes and coaches all over the country to those who participated in any of the past 49 Super Bowls in celebration Super Bowl 50.

The NFL sent Pike County a special 50th anniversary golden football produced by Wilson.

Griffin has long been an active volunteer in the community, hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for the elderly and sick residents of Brundidge each year and providing school supplies to needy children, among many other efforts.

He said coming together as a community to help neighbors in need is the best way to help a community.

“We can do more together,” Griffin said. “It’s hard to do anything individually, but if you can do it together as a community you can get a lot more done.”

According to Pike County High School principal Willie Wright, the honor given to Pike County and Griffin shines a light on the impact that the school has on the community of Brundidge.

“It means a lot and it’s a real tribute to what he has done as athlete and as a human being,” Wright said. “He has done endless things for the community, The City of Brundidge and Pike County.”

Pike County has numerous student athletes that aspire to play sports at a higher level and Wright hopes this award will show the students the importance of service and being an influence on others.

“It just goes to show our kids that if you do the right things well and treat people right that good things will happen to you in the future,” Wright said. “It tells them that you don’t forget where you come from. We had several sign scholarships this year and we are looking forward to going out and do good things, but also to come back and remind our kids that the opportunity to do good things is there.”