On April 25, the Vian Wolverines football program got awarded a $2,500 grant by the National Football League Players organization during the 2024 NFL Draft party in Tulsa. Vian football coach Gary Willis was very appreciative of the donation.

“(A grant worth) $2,500 in a small town like this is a nice gift,” Willis said. “We’re blessed to get it.”

Former Vian Wolverine and NFL player Kenyatta Wright had a big hand in getting both Vian’s and Sallisaw’s football program this grant.

“Kenyatta got with both (Sallisaw football coach Brandon) Tyler and I, and e-mailed us the information for applying for the grant,” Willis said. “We were all very appreciative of that. (Wright) is on the board with that thing, and he had a big deal in getting that for us and Sallisaw.”

The funds can only be used by the football program, and Willis said the initial thought is a lot of the money will be spent in upgrading the weight room.

“We’ll probably look at some weight equipment and see if we can add to our weight room,” he said. “We’re not sure on that. It definitely will be something that will go for the team that’s not in our general budget. It’s a good deal. We’re all appreciative of Kenyatta and the NFL Players Association. We got to go up to the (NFL) Draft party in Tulsa (on April 25). It was a neat little process.”

Sharing in the donation moment with Willis and Wright was former University of Tulsa and NFL player, and Enid native, Todd Franz.

“He’s a great guy,” Willis said. “The only bad thing was when you take an old guy like me and throw me on stage with a couple of ex-NFLers who are built like they can still play, I felt outstaged.”