Wolfi Gottschalk, a 9-year-old football player for the Vienna Youth Inc. Buccaneers, received the 2013 Fairfax County Champions of Character award for the Providence district male athlete. The guest speaker was former Redskin James Thrash with a reception and ceremony held at the Fairfax County Government Center last month.

Wolfi was nominated by VYI football team head coach Joey Rubin for "demonstrating outstanding character and leadership while maintaining a clear sense of purpose."

"In a world full of distractions," Rubin wrote, "Wolfi’s outstanding focus and thirst for understanding of the fundamentals of the game have earned him starting roles as a quarterback on offense and a safety on defense."

In addition to playing football, Wolfi excels in lacrosse and competes in triathlons with his father.