Before we were “back to football,” the NFLPA was looking for ways to help college players transition to the NFL. The AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on January 21 in Los Angeles is the culmination of that interest.
Executive Director of the NFLPA, DeMaurice Smith said this game “is a centerpiece of the NFLPA’s mission to prepare players to play in the NFL.”
The NFLPA has activities planned leading up to the game to educate its future members on the business side of football, professionalism and the importance of community involvement. Pro football players and coaching legends will work with the game’s future stars, giving them first-hand insight on what it takes to win on and off of the field. Team coaches Tom Flores and Dick Vermeil will provide the players with elite-level practices and playbooks and the players will interact with the community through youth clinics and more.
Los Angeles, Smith said, “is a natural place to host the NFLPA’s new bowl game because of the number of NFL players that come from the area or settle in LA after they are done playing.” It also helps that LA is a large media market and it’s reasonable to expect good weather in January. Both of these things will help draw more eyeballs to the 100 or so college players that are expected to participate in the game.
Getting more eyeballs on college players is very important, says former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Matthew Hatchette. Hatchette says, “Players from smaller schools or those that don’t play in a bowl game often have a hard time getting the attention of the pros.”
If it wasn’t for his bowl game appearance, Hatchette said he isn’t sure what would have happened. Hatchette was a star receiver at Langston University (Oklahoma) but prior to the bowl game he wasn’t invited to the combine. After sending several letters, tapes and making numerous phone calls to the people in charge of the combine, someone from finally answered and said, “if you didn’t already get a letter your probably not going to.” That changed after his bowl game appearance where scouts watched him play against some of the best college players.
Three time Super Bowl champ and former New England Patriot Willie McGinest is excited to have the NFLPA Bowl in LA and the opportunity it presents to teach athletes about their on and off the field responsibilities. McGinest believes that it’s important for athletes to give back to others. He has said, “There’s always somebody out there who needs something or needs the help. You can make a difference just talking to a kid. It’s not always about having to give money.”
Smith said the week will “highlight some of the great players in the NFL and positive things they do everyday.” The annual NFLPA PULSE Awards, that recognizes individual active and former players in categories of: Performance, Union (Unity), Leadership, Service and Excellence, is being held in LA on January 20. Until December 10, fans can click here to vote for their favorite players.
For more information on the AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl click here. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased on line at Ticketmaster.com or HomeDepotCenter.com.
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