Kicks
are for Kids!
Head to Pac Bell Park on January 11th for the Best
Football of the Year 2003
Nearly 100 of 2003’s college star football
players accepted invitations to line up from East and West for the
best game of their career. This has been an invitation-only game
since its inception in 1925. It is an honor to be invited. It is a
privilege to play. It is great football to watch in person even if
football is not a sport you follow. For those who live too far away
to attend, it will be broadcast on ESPN at 11a.m. PST. Over the
years, this action-packed game has paid for treatment of 650,000
children, up to age 18, in need of orthopedic and burn care in 22
Shrine Hospitals around the country. Affordable? Individual tickets
range from $15 to $50 with a special family pack at $50 for four
tickets, four drinks, four hot dogs, and a souvenir. Go, have a
great time. Watch 2003’s top rookie players before the NFL draft,
guess who will be drafted. See the best all-star game in the country
with players giving their best for the of the love game, kicking for
kids.
All players are college seniors. In this game,
each player is at the top of their game, giving their personal best,
joining as teammates with peer level players from colleges all over
the country. If all the awards and trophies won by this year’s
long list of honored players were gathered in one spot, it would
require a battleship to transport them. And what a battle this is
going to be. For all players, this game is one from the heart. For
two military football stars, this is their last best game. Gerald
Ford went on to a career other than football, as will these fine
athletes. Last year at the kick-off ceremony, former President Ford
said, “I have nothing but the fondest of memories from playing in
the East West Shrine Game 67 years ago.” It’s a game that makes
a lasting impression on players and youth alike.
As
a youth, Seneca Wallace was a member of the Sacramento Sheriff’s
mentor “OK Program” and tutored by Donald “Norv” Cross, who
never doubted him. The program is for Sacramento’s black boys.
Wallace was taken under Officer Cross’s wing starting in the sixth
grade. “Cross is like a second father to me,” said Wallace. The
OK Program offers three annual trips as a reward for classroom work.
On one of those annual rewards trips to the East West Game, Cross
told Seneca he’d someday take a group of youngsters to watch him
play. Seneca took it as a challenge. Switching from soccer to Pop
Warner football, he began a steady climb to excellence. Seneca is
now nationally ranked as a starting quarterback for Iowa State and
one of six Heisman Trophy candidates playing January 11. Officer
Cross is bringing 200 Sacramento boys to watch Seneca play.
Seneca never dreamed he’d come this far. The
summer after high school, his mom was diagnosed with cancer. “My
mom and I were really close.” He wasn’t sure he wanted to
continue to play ball. He also found his chances to continue were
hurt because he was lacking an English class. To rectify this
situation, Wallace took three English classes his high school senior
year (sophomore, junior, and senior English), but his petition to
save his scholarship to Oregon State was not accepted by the NCAA
clearinghouse. Returning to Sacramento, Cross and Seneca’s family
encouraged him to keep going. After a supportive talk with his
brother and family, he chose Sacramento City College where he
received quarterback coaching from head coach Dave Griffin.
As it turned out, further tests showed that Linda
Wallace, Seneca’s mother, did not have breast cancer. She had a
form of leukemia. The good news was that because it was discovered
in the early stages, it was treatable. “God blessed us. It was a
hard thing on me. I didn’t know what to expect and if I would
loose my Mom or not. It made me look at things a little different.”
Sacramento City College was also good for him. Seneca transferred to
Iowa State after two successful SCC seasons, with a full
scholarship. In Iowa, he flourished. Finishing his senior year as
the quarterback of a winning team brought his dream to reality. He
was elated to receive an invitation to the East West Game. Now
Seneca has dreams of the NFL.
For many, January 11, 2003 is the beginning of a
whole new life. How well they play effects whether and how well they
place in the NFL draft. The NFL drafted 33 players of 2002’s star
lineup. Tuesday to Friday, building to the big game on Saturday,
400-500 pro talent scouts representing every major league team will
be watching with keen interest. Players distinguished in past
East-West games include: John Elway, Brett Favre, Tony Dorsett,
Roger Staubach, Gayle Sayers, Joe Greene, Mike Ditka, and Dick
Butkus, to name just a few who made giving their best into a career
commitment that made them household names.
Among last year’s stars, Joey Harrington became
one of the top draft picks, signing a starting contract of $14
million after his performance in the 2002 East West Game, where
overlooked talents came to light during practice week and at the
game. In 2002, the first day was an inspiration to Joey. As the 2003
players will experience Monday, January 5, following an honored
tradition, all players and coaching staff travel to the nearest
Shrine Hospital. 2003’s East West players will board an Amtrak
train in San Francisco and head to Sacramento’s Shrine Hospital to
spend a day with those the game directly benefits. The only cash
register at the Shrine Hospital for children is in the gift shop. A
child who needs an artificial limb or short- to long-term burn care
can be cared for until he or she reaches the age of 18, free of
charge. Medical care at the 22 Shrine Hospitals is paid for by money
raised from donations, sponsorships, and attendance at the East West
Game. “Strong legs run so weak legs can walk,” is the motto of
Jack Hart, the dynamo organizer of the games. To ensure that more
can walk than ever before, Jack and his team have done a great job
of bringing together a group of stellar athletes.
All
game participants spend the day signing casts, t-shirts, and caps,
and playing games while truly enjoying the company of the children.
Joey Harrington said, “This is why I’m here. Absolutely 100
percent why I’m here. Interacting with the kids. To see their
faces light up when we walk through the door. It’s a terrific
experience. And you know, I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Quentin Harris, also of the 2002 teams, added, “…they are
excited to see you and appreciate you being here. It’s been
wonderful. It really puts things into perspective and makes you
appreciate what you have. To see the joy on their faces when we come
around to sign a hat for them, it makes me feel good inside.” The
balance of the week they have the children’s bright smiles of appreciation
in their minds’ eye as they dig deep to put on the best game of
their lives. This is going to be one fine game.
Finding a team or player to root for should be
easy with 56 colleges and players hailing from 23 states and Canada.
The East team head coach is Tyrone Willingham, with assistants all
from Notre Dame. One of the three quarterbacks is Ken Dorsey. Ken is
a Bay Area high school star, originally from Orinda, California, and
now a top Heisman Trophy candidate representing Miami. Ken is the
only Californian on the East team. Clarence Holmes of Macon, Georgia
represents Army.
The West team head coach is Mike Price, with an assistant coach team
all from Washington State. Seneca Wallace is one of four
quarterbacks playing for the West team along with 17 others from
California hometowns. Wes Crawley of Elk Grove, California
represents Air Force.
Tickets for the 78th East West Shrine College All Star Game at Pac
|
Players
clash in 2002 East West Game won by the West 21-13. Don’t
miss the 2003 action January 11th at Pac Bell Park. |
Bell Park are available by calling Tickets.com at
(510) 762-2277; visiting any Giants Dugout store; or online at
www.shrinegame.com.