WINTERSVILLE – Lifetime Achievement Awards don’t often go to 26-year-olds. Derek Wolfe, however, is not your typical 26-year-old.

These are the best of times for the former Beaver Local High football star. Wolfe played a key role for the menacing Denver defense in the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 win over Carolina this past February.

Moreover, he agreed to a four-year, $36.75 million contract extension last season. He is also engaged to be married soon.

If that wasn’t enough, Wolfe was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award at Monday’s Lou Holtz Hall of Fame Banquet at the Florian Hall.

So, if you are Derek Wolfe, life is great. But such wasn’t always the case.

Wolfe’s early years were highlighted in a video prior to his award presentation. He had a rough upbringing to say the least.

The 6-5, 290-pounder grew up basically without his mom or dad in his life. “My mom has some issues,” Wolfe succinctly said in the video.

He began spending time with the Hoppel family in East Liverpool. The Hoppels are the first family of wrestling in the area.

Days at the Hoppel home morphed into fulltime residency at the urging of the family. It provided the structure that was lacking in Wolfe’s life.

However, it was not all fun and games with the Hoppels. Wolfe was introduced to hard work on the family farm, planting the seeds for his unyielding work ethic.

His stellar play at Beaver Local earned him a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. His relentless style earned him co-defensive player of the year plaudits in the Big East as a senior. That was followed by being a second-round draft choice of the Broncos – 36th overall in 2012.

“It would be impossible to thank everyone who helped me when I was growing up,” Wolfe said. “I had a lot of growing up to do and I was fortunate to be surrounded by people willing to help me. The Hoppels and Jim Pastore have been very instrumental in my life.

“I learned to try and be the best at what you are doing, regardless of what it is. But I also want to help people along the way.”

Wolfe said that Pastore was the only father he really knew.

The Bronco star gives much credit to his football success to his Ohio Valley roots.

“I always feel that I am tougher than anyone I play against because of where I grew up,” Wolfe said. “This area is a very special place. I am honored to call it my home.”

THE 18TH Annual Holtz Hall of Fame dinner attracted a crowd of some 550. As part of the event, Holtz presented six local students with $5,000 scholarships.

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the 2016 Distinguished American Award to former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. His address details of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 and the tough decisions he had to make as the NYC mayor.

The Lou Holtz Hall of Fame also inducted four new enshrinees: Calvin Jones, Gen. Robert P. McCoy, Jerry McKenna and Pete Wooley. The Lomba Family was given the Family Heritage Award.