Being remembered everywhere you’ve been through on your way to greatness is something not everyone can achieve. While John Cena is now a worldwide phenomenon, known for his wrestling brilliance, he wasn’t always that. Once, he was a freshman at Springfield playing football. His collegiate days gave way to a massively successful professional career. Cena’s stellar achievements have once again bestowed on him a major honor along with several other prominent former student-athletes from across the country.

Cena joins a short list of elite professionals who are set to receive the 2024 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award. Along with the wrestling icon, five other names from different walks of life have been named by the authorities as recipients of the special honor.

John Cena bags yet another major honor

In a social media post on X, the official NCAA account has announced the six former student-athletes who are set to be honored next year. Former US Naval Academy and Stanford graduate Nichole Mann is a celebrity NASA astronaut and a test pilot. Mann is also among the people who have been deemed worthy of the unique honor of her accolades throughout her career in and after college.

While Mann’s accomplishments are beyond debate about their significance, it’s probably John Cena who is the most prominent personality on the list. The record 16-time WWE champion is often hailed as the all-time greatest professional wrestler. NCAA’s post briefly shows Cena in football gear during his days at Springfield, highlighting the longevity of a decorated career.

The 5-time WWE United States Champion has given numerous memorable moments during his professional wrestling career. Many of such incidents have become the stuff of the legends among fans of the sport. From his debut in the WWE as an amateur rapper to a future Hall of Famer-worthy star he is today, it’s been one hell of a ride and it’s time the NCAA did something about it.

An elite list unveiled by the NCAA

Along with Cena and Mann, four other former students from around the country have made it to the prestigious list. Popular sports media personality and University of New Hampshire graduate Jerry Azumah will also receive the 2024 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award. Former North Carolina Tar Heel and the current US Women’s Soccer president Cindy Cone is also named as one recipient.

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Cone’s tireless striving to make soccer more popular in the US receives a major nod, and she will be joined on the podium by national team midfielder and Notre Dame graduate Shannon Boxx. LBSU’s own Misty May-Treanor is an Olympic gold medalist and is the last name on the recently revealed list by the NCAA.

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