The National Football Foundation (NFF) Suffolk County Chapter and its top scholar athlete award also have been named in his honor.

Metzger was named New York Metropolitan Area Philanthropist of the Year for 2018 by The Long Island Press, a Schneps Media publication.

Metzger is a 1977 graduate of Half Hollow Hills High School East, where he played lacrosse, football and basketball.

[4] A three-year letterman as a tailback and return specialist on the football team, Metzger graduated as the school's all-time leading scorer and rusher.

He was a Suffolk County All-Star running back known for starting 25 consecutive games, accumulating 2,155 yards rushing and scoring 27 touchdowns and four two-point conversions, totaling 170 points.

Metzger, in his sophomore year, also played point guard for his high school basketball 1974-1975 varsity team in the Suffolk County Playoffs.

For the season and playoffs, Griffin scored 35 touchdowns and helped lead the team to the Division II Championship game.

Metzger declined an appointment to the United States Naval Academy to accept an athletic scholarship from Hofstra University.

[7] Metzger left the Hofstra lacrosse program after the 1980 season for personal reasons and did not fulfill his final two years of eligibility.

The company was founded on the strength of its commercial insurance market share in the New York Metropolitan Area funeral home industry.

The Fried Center is the home for academic and career development pursuits and it also houses the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the Athletic Department's community service program.

[10] When The Hofstra University Athletic Hall of Fame inducted Metzger during 2015, he joined two fellow members, United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-Americans Doug Shanahan and Jerry Simandl, as the only Hofstra men's lacrosse athletes to be honored with a retired number.

[15] During 2019, Hofstra Athletics announced that Metzger provided an additional leadership gift to the university to support the renovation of the locker facilities.

The project, funded by Metzger during 2009, was named for Hofstra standout athletes Mike D’Amato ‘68 and Lou DiBlasi ‘61.

During 2021, Half Hollow Hills High School East renamed its football offensive player award to honor Metzger.

Under the auspicies of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA), the annual James C. Metzger Leadership Awards for Nassau County Section 8 (NYSPHSAA) high school players are presented to one player on each of the eight teams that compete in the boys lacrosse championship finals.

The National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum selected Metzger to receive its 2013 George Young Award.

The recognition is presented to an individual, Jewish or non-Jewish, who has best exemplified the high ideals displayed by the late National Football League executive.

Metzger also was inducted into the Hall of Fame with the Class of 2013 that included former professional football tight end Randy Grossman of the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Adelphi University Athletics Hall of Fame recognized Metzger as the 25th recipient of the Timothy L. Woodruff Lifetime Achievement Award during 2016.

His nephew, Rob Pannell, former USILA National Collegiate Player of the Year and Premier Lacrosse League professional athlete, also is a 2023 inductee.

During 2019, in support of the NFF, Whitmore served as the presenting sponsor at the beginning of the 2019 Cortaca Jug, "the biggest little game in the nation" between the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons and Ithaca College Bombers.

The chapter's Top Scholar Athlete Award presented to the annual outstanding high school football player was named to honor Metzger.

[27] The Boys & Girls Clubs of America Newark Chapter (BGCN) presented Metzger with its 2020 Cynthia M. Banks Award for Caring.

Named for a long-time employee, the award recognizes people who support programs that improve the lives of children at the chapter.