Somerville resident John Baino, nephew of former Mayor Gene Brune, recently received a plaque for after being inducted into the American Football Association Hall of Fame Semi-Pro Football. Family and friends celebrated this achievement with John at Casey’s on Friday night, July 14.

Full press release: 

American Football Association Announces Inductees for the 2023 Minor League Football Hall of Fame

The American Football Association’s Hall of Fame selection committee has completed its annual task of reviewing personal profiles of qualified individuals nominated for induction into the Minor League Football Hall of Fame as the “Class of 2023”. After careful consideration and evaluation, the selection committee has chosen 16 exceptional individuals to be enshrined in this prestigious institution.

The induction ceremony, known as the 41st Annual Minor League Football Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, will take place at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, located at 2121 George Halas Drive NW, Canton, Ohio 44708. This momentous event will be held on Friday, June 23rd, as part of a two-day celebration organized by the AFA National Association, starting on Thursday, June 22nd. Building on the success of the 2022 event, this year’s occasion promises to be even more remarkable.

The festivities will feature an array of exciting activities, including a Sports & Celebrity Memorabilia Auction, Performance by Magician Magic Mark, the Annual AFA HoF Legends “Alumni Huddle” Cocktail Party, Pro Football Hall of Fame Tours, and culminating in the highly anticipated 41st Annual AFA Minor League Football Hall of Fame Induction Dinner.

The American Football Association proudly presents the distinguished names of the “Class of 2023” who will be enshrined into the AFA Minor League Football Hall of Fame. The following individuals, along with their sponsors, have been recognized for their exceptional contributions:

Coaches Category:

• Jerryl Gray – North Haven, CT (Sponsored by Jim Harmon)
• Tommy Akers – Springfield, IL (Sponsored by Brent Bordenkircher/Brian Davis)

Player Category:

• Greg Erchull – New Berlin, WI (Sponsored by Greg Fictum)
• Joe St. Peter – West Roxbury, MA (Sponsored by Larry DeVoe)
• Mike Rowan – Painesville, OH (Sponsored by John Tichy)
• Leroy McFadden – Loves Park, IL (Sponsored by Jack Ball)
• Clarence Richardson, Jr. – Richmond, VA (Sponsored by Micheal Sampson)
• Damien Rochon Washington – Robbinsdale, MN (Sponsored by Todd Western)
• Armin Covington – Bellwood, IL (Sponsored by Thomas Robinson)
• Jason Schmiedeknecht – Holland, MI (Sponsored by Doug Tibbitts)
• Frank Pedersen – West Roxbury, MA (Sponsored by Robert Beckwith)
• John Baino – Somerville, MA (Sponsored by Timothy Ryan)
• Matt Nelson – Racine, WI (Sponsored by Ron Hart/Jordan Kopac)

Executive:

• John Kiedaich – Townsend, MA (Sponsored by Dave Burch)
• Craig Witts – Decatur, IL (Sponsored by Chris Lawson)
• Sean McNamara – Manteno, IL (Sponsored by Jim Nugent)

With the addition of the Class of 2023, the total number of AFA Hall of Fame inductees will grow from 815 to 831. Since the inaugural enshrinement in 1981, the AFA has celebrated the achievements of 510 players, 114 coaches, 94 executives, 35 officials, 25 pioneers, 23 media/historians, 13 trainer/equipment men, 6 individuals associated with youth football, 6 involved with international semi-pro, 4 from the women’s level, and 1 ‘super fan’.