Surrounded by family, friends and a squad of his old teammates, amid cheering Vestal Golden Bears, John Schultz, Vestal High School class of 1971, had a dream come true. At a special pep rally on January 22 to celebrate his reception of an NFL gold football as part of the National Football League’s 50th Anniversary High School Honor Roll, Athletic Director Mike Rotondi threw in an added surprise. He officially retired Schultz' number 43. "In recognition of your great service to our community and your athletics' accomplishments during your high school experience, years at the University of Maryland and your professional football career, we are retiring your Number 43," announced Rotondi during the Vestal High School pep rally. "Number 43 is never to be worn in any future football games here in Dick Hoover Stadium. Number 43 forever belongs to John Schultz, a proud Vestal Golden Bear!"
To celebrate Super Bowl 50 and commemorate its 50th Anniversary, the NFL has sent a gold football to every player who was part of Super Bowl history, participating in a past Super Bowl. In addition, every high school in the world who has produced a player or coach who has appeared in a Super Bowl has also received a gold football. As far as Mr. Schultz knew, this pep rally was just to celebrate the reception of the NFL gold footballs. However, as Mr Rotondi called up Michelle Schultz, a senior and Mr. Schultz' niece, she was carrying a white jersey with the No 43 emblazoned in green and gold. That jersey she presented to her uncle, as Mr. Rotondi made his announcement.
It was a proud moment for Mr. Schultz, but also a humble one. He almost did not get to play college football. He admitted to the students gathered in the gym of his former alma mater that he did not have the grades or the SAT scores to be considered for an athletic scholarship. " I had the order wrong," he solemnly told the kids. "I had to be a great student first, and then a great athlete. Don't make the same mistake!"
On hand for a condensed team photo were a handful of Mr. Schultz' former Vestal Golden Bear teammates, Mike Demetros, Bob Gleason, Dan Kosick and Jim Spano. An All-Conference champion who played for the Golden Bears from 1969 - 1971 under iconic Coach Dick Hoover, Mr. Schultz later played for the University of Maryland, where he helped score an ACC championship. In 1976, he was selected by the Denver Broncos as a wide receiver, punt returner and special teams’ player. Schultz was named co-captain of the Broncos in 1977, helping his team capture the AFC championship and head for the first Super Bowl to be played in a domed stadium, the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. When he took the field for Super Bowl XII on January 15, 1978, against the Dallas Cowboys, it was also the Broncos' first Super Bowl ever.
To end this article, here are the words that will be listed on the NFL's Super Bowl High School Honor Roll:
The National Football League honors Vestal High School and its role in developing and supporting the career of John Schultz, who was part of Super Bowl history -
XII, Wide Receiver: Denver Broncos
Football has always been about more than wins and losses. The game teaches lessons that last a lifetime. Through your football program, your school is building men of high character by instilling values in your student athletes. The NFL is grateful to you and your community, and honored to partner with you in making champions on and off the field.