Football Team State Champs Get Own Holiday In Aurora

AURORA, IL — From now on, Dec. 14 in Aurora will be associated with the state championship-winning Aurora Gators 11U Football Team, Mayor Richard Irvin decreed.

On Tuesday night, Aurora City Council celebrated the team of 11-year-olds who had a “stellar, undefeated regular season” and won the 2024 Pop Warner 11U State Championships in early November. To commemorate the victory, Dec. 14 — the day of the team’s end-of-season celebration — will be known as “Aurora Gators 11U Day.”

The champions attended the City Council meeting donning their new rings and were further lauded with medals, trophies and certificates while parents and supporters cheered from the audience.

The surprises didn’t end there. Two NFL champions — current Buffalo Bills player Taylor Rapp, who won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams, and retired two-time Superbowl Champion Bryant McFadden, who earned two Super Bowl rings during his time with the Steelers — shared messages with the Aurora team through videos.

“I know you guys worked very, very hard this season as you guys notched an undefeated season,” Rapp said.

In his own words of congratulations, McFadden said, “I know what it feels like to win a few championships. I know you guys are smiling from ear to ear, and you should be because you deserve all the praise you receive.”

He continued: “But don’t get complacent. Just because you get one doesn’t mean you can’t get more. Just remember that.”