While sports channels and social media sites have been atwitter with the latest takes on the likes of Peyton Manning and Richard Sherman, many in Canyons District have been cheering for the sudden notoriety of Zane Beadles, the Husky-turned-Ute-turned-Bronco who has realized his dream of playing in the Super Bowl.
 
Beadles, a 2005 Hillcrest graduate, recently captured the hearts of America when he appeared on ‘The Ellen Show.” The 305-pound, 6-foot 4-inch lineman cut a rug with the talk show host who is known for dancing with her guests.
 
Beadles, who graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in mechanical engineering, engaged in charming banter with DeGeneres, who presented Beadles with $10,000 for his foundation, the Zane Beadles Parade Foundation. DeGeneres also gave him a giant pair of shorts with the words “Ellen’s Got My Blind Side Covered” printed on the backside.
 
Hillcrest Principal Sue Malone remembers Beadles fondly and says that his heart is as big as his stature. “He never acted like the big man on campus,” she says.
 
“He was always kind to everybody. He was a great kid,” she says. “What I remember about him the most was his fun personality.”
 
Malone also calls him an “academic” and a “great student” who focused on his studies as much – or more – as athletics.  “He’s a solid type of guy,” she said.
 
While at Hillcrest, Beadles, who was named by the Broncos as their 2012 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in honor of his leadership and dedication to community service, was a three-year gridiron starter who earned first team All-State and All-Region honors. He also played basketball and baseball.

Beadles is set to join his Denver Bronco teammates on the field against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Feb. 2.

See our Facebook page for an album of photographs from Zane’s senior year at Hillcrest