A local high school quarterback was recently recognized at the prestigious NFL Latino Youth Honors Award.

Oscar Rios is a star at Downey High School and was nominated by the Chargers for both academic and athletic excellence.

Rios did not win the award, which is in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF), but was honored this week during Super Bowl festivities.

The award recognizes outstanding high school tackle and flag football athletes from around the country for their academic and athletic excellence.

Every NFL team can submit one male and one female high school senior football player to represent their team and be considered for the program.

Rios was one of eight finalists for the award. Each member of this elite group receives a grant award that can be put toward their college tuition, including $25,000 grants for both the male and female national winners and $5,000 grants for each of the six other finalists.

Rios stars both in the classroom and on the gridiron at Downey High School, as he compiled a 3.0 GPA and has committed to play football at the University of Arizona.

Rios, who has his Mexican and Panamanian roots, is proud of his Latino heritage and carries traditions, language, and family values of his household into every aspect of his life.

One of the first Hispanic quarterbacks to compete in the Elite 11 Finals, Rios earned back-to-back, First-Team All-CIF honors and was also the MVP and Offensive MVP for the Gateway League.

Rios' stats over the past two seasons included 5,187 total passing yards, 45 passing touchdowns, 1,502 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.

Off the field, he volunteers with local Pop Warner and girls flag football teams.