The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is in town, y’all! It is the nation’s premier high school All-American game, featuring the best 90 players in an annual East vs. West matchup every January in San Antonio’s Alamodome. The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is a yearlong engagement between U.A. Army and the American people that accumulates with an event-filled week leading up to Game Day – January 3, 2015 – when the players are granted the opportunity to wear the Army colors by demonstrating their dedication to team, community and excellence.
Volunteer Day at Children’s Hospital of San Antonio
The high school players arrive in San Antonio nearly a week before the U.S. Army All-American Bowl for practices and other activities, including volunteering their time in various community organizations like the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio – a world-class, state-of-the-art children’s hospital for San Antonio and South Texas. Over 2014, I hope you noticed Que Means What’s visits to the Children’s Hospital on Instagram or Facebook, to see and share the progress of the renovation of the facility. Since I’ve been following the renovation, I was happy to hear that these high school football players would be bringing some joy to the patients at CHofSA.
During the time at the hospital, the high school players spent time with patients and their families. They played games and created water-color artwork together. The patients were happy to see them and exchange stories. Other players also visited Eva’s Heroes, Boys & Girls Club and Boysville.
U.S. All-American Army East QB, Torrance Gibson (Miami, FL) said that being able to teach kids how to paint and play games brings joy to his heart. The quarterback appreciates meeting kids like the young patient in CHofSA who impresses him with faithlessness to prayer and with his strength.
According to Gibson, a typical day leading up to the big game includes practice, team meetings, meals, down time and press interviews. The high school players are accompanied by U.S. Army soldiers who serve as mentors and ambassadors of the Army. Gibson says that by visiting with members of the U.S. Army, the football players have a chance to learn about life in the U.S. Army and personal journeys to the Army.
The history and tradition of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl is unparalleled, highlighted by Heisman Trophy winners and more than 200 NFL players counted among its alumni. Throughout its 14 years, the game has featured the nation’s most elite football players, including: Andrew Luck, Jamaal Charles, DeMarco Murray, Eric Berry, Patrick Peterson, LeSean McCoy, Sammy Watkins, and hundreds more.
The Army Bowl enjoys a worldwide television audience, thanks to a live broadcast on NBC. Last year’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl marked the 14th-anniversary of the Bowl and drew a crowd of 40,000-plus for the second consecutive year. The 2015 U.S. Army All-American Bowl will take place on January 3, 2015, at 1:00pm ET/12:00 CT. Watch and join the conversation online by following Army All-American on Twitter and Facebook.
For a full player roster and more information about the year-long program, visit www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com.
