Pixiq

There are photo contests and there are photo contests. Some give you big bucks, depending on your definition of “big bucks”, some give you “recognition”, also known as “no bucks”. When you can win 4 tickets to the Super Bowl and have your image shown somewhere outstanding, I’d say it’s pretty cool. And when the efforts are tie into helping kids in poor communities, it’s worth a shout out here.

For the past six seasons, Canon U.S.A and the Pro Football Hall of Fame for a photo contest have asked the photographic question, "Why Do You Love Football?", based on images of youth football. After reviewing over 6,000 entries, the grand prize winners were announced with Heidi Yowell, 45, of La Habra, Calif., awarded the honor for the Adult Division and Michael Pronzato, 17, of Warrington, Penn., winning for the Teen Division. Each has won a trip for four to attend Super Bowl XLV in North Texas along with a trip for four to the 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Celebration this summer, and they will also have their winning photos displayed in the Hall of Fame for a full year.

How cool is that?

Yowell snapped a photo of her son and husband, entitled "Last Game," after the last Pop Warner game of the season. Her son, a third-year linebacker, wore pink socks during the game to help promote breast cancer awareness.

Pronzato captured "Give a Full Effort for the Touchdown" at the Archbishop Wood vs. Haverford High School football game. An athlete himself, he hopes to play golf and major in photography in college.

In honor of all the photos submitted to the contest this year, Canon is establishing an educational curriculum for youths in the art of photography and digital imaging during afterschool hours.

This is the part I really like.

They are doing this through an NFL established charity called YETs (Youth Education Town) which is administered by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Rather than just show up, play the game, make a bundle, then scram, the NFL establishes a new YET in every town that hosts a Super Bowl. Canon also supports the YET programming by donating $150,000 worth of products that help train and educate a new generation of photography enthusiasts.

Just thought y’all should know as you sit down to yell at the TV screen during this year’s game. Always a fun Sunday with friends, drinks, and lots of junk food. Even though the Jets fell a game short. And as for my Giants- don’t ask.

In the battle cry every year of most NFL fans in every franchise city, except one:  Wait till next year!