The AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Saturday in Los Angeles is more than just another college all star game. It’s part of the process to help college players transition to the NFL.
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 had activities 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 have been working with the game’s future stars all week. Team coaches Tom Flores and Dick Vermeil provide the players with elite-level practices and playbooks and the players have gotten the chance to 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, even in January.
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.”
