Jan. 7, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. -
Three of the most decorated players in Bulldog history have been selected to play one the of the prestigious college all-star football games. Bulldog seniors Chris Carter, Andrew Jackson and Ben Jacobs will play in the game, held Jan. 22, 2011 at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla., kicking off at 4 p.m. EST.
Carter, the 2010 WAC Defensive Player of the Year, was among the national sack leaders all season. He has been selected first-team All-WAC each of the last two seasons and finished his career with nearly 200 tackles and 19.5 sacks. During the 2010 season he led the WAC with 11 sacks and made 16.5 tackles for losses.
Jacobs set a Bulldog record by starting 52 consecutive games at middle linebacker, every game in his career. He was two starts shy of the NCAA record. He tied an NCAA record by forcing three fumbles in a game and was twice selected first-team All-WAC. Jacobs had 387 tackles in his career, third most in Bulldog history.
Jackson was started for the Dogs for most of his four-year career, missing a large portion of his senior season due to injury. A first-team All-WAC selection as a junior, Jackson was projected as one of the nation's best offensive guards. During his junior season he was selected first-team Academic All-American, the first Bulldog to ever win that honor.
The Dogs join an elite list of football greats, such as John Elway, Tom Brady, Brett Favre, and 62 NFL Hall of Famers, who have played in the East-West Shrine Game, America's longest-running college all-star football game.
"The East-West Shrine Game has always fielded players among college football's best," said East-West Shrine Game Executive Director Harold Richardson. "With all 32 NFL teams represented by GMs, coaches and scouts during game week, our players have the terrific opportunity to showcase their talents and get their first glimpse of life in the NFL ... `Just Like on Sunday.'"
While the teams are divided by East and West, the players come together for the beneficiary of the event, Shriners Hospitals for Children®, an international pediatric specialty health care system.
"We hope our supporters all over the country will come out and enjoy this exciting game," said Douglas E. Maxwell, president and CEO of Shriners Hospitals for Children. "Our health care system depends on the generosity of our supporters, and this game is one of our signature events benefitting Shriners Hospitals for Children®."
Those who would like to support Jacobs and the East-West Shrine Game can do the following:
Attend the East-West Shrine Game in Orlando on Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. EST
Tune in to the NFL Network on Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. PST to watch the live broadcast
Sign up as a volunteer online at Shrine Game
About Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children® is a health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to age 18 with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients' ability to pay. For more information, please visit Shriners Hospital
"We are Your Team! The Bulldog football team opens the 2011 season against the Cal Bears at Candlestick Park on Sept. 3. Follow gobulldogs.com for information about the upcoming season.
