NFL-endorsed all-star game pits college pro hopefuls from Texas against players across the country
ALLEN, TX – When Dallas Cowboys legends Bill Bates and Randy White walked into Allen Eagle Stadium recently, they brought with them the most high-profile game to be played in the city’s new stadium. White and Bates were there to announce the Texas vs. the Nation All-star Challenge, an event sure to set the nation’s sights on Allen. The game, sponsored by Dethrone Beverage, is to be played Feb. 2, 2013, and will feature future NFL players in the form of college seniors from across the country playing their best to impress the scouts and coaches who are there to find next year’s pro talent.
“I can guarantee that you are watching the future of the NFL when you come to this game,” said Kenny Hansmire, chairman of Texas vs. the Nation. “At least 97 percent of these players will sign NFL contracts after this game.”
The opposing teams are “Texas,” composed of players who went to high school or college here in the Lone Star State, and the “Nation,” players from across the U.S.
Bates will coach the Texas team while Howard Schnellenberger will coach the Nation team.
Tickets for the event are $18 to $25 and are on sale now at www.TexasVStheNation.com. The event is expected to sell out.
City of Allen Mayor Steve Terrell, who tossed a football to Bates and White as they posed for pictures, commented on how much the game will bring to the growing city.
“People from all over the country will see what we have here in Allen. They can eat in our restaurants and shop in our stores, in addition to seeing the landmark Allen Eagle Stadium. This will help put Allen on the map. We could not be more excited to have a game of this caliber on our home field,” he noted.
Texas vs. the Nation serves as a stage for professional scouts to evaluate prospects for the NFL and other pro football leagues and began as an idea to bring a sense of rivalry and teamwork back to the all-star arena. Since 2006, more than 500 college players who participated in Texas vs. the Nation have been signed to NFL contracts. Over the last five years, more than 100 players from this all-star game have been selected in the NFL draft. The game was played at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso for its first four years before moving to San Antonio’s Alamodome. February’s 2013 event marks the first Texas vs. the Nation game to be played in Allen Eagle Stadium, an 18,000-seat facility with amenities that rival most college stadiums.
"Allen Eagle Stadium was built as a venue to showcase our students and accommodate our large fan base but we have always felt that the stadium would make an excellent location for special events,” said Ken Helvey, Ed.D., superintendent of schools, Allen ISD. “We are excited to work with the NFL and the Texas vs. the Nation staff for the February 2 game. In addition to the economic impact, the Texas vs. the Nation game will bring national attention to our stadium and our schools. We welcome the opportunity to host the hundreds of players, NFL scouts and visitors to Eagle Stadium."
Current NFL stars who are alumni of Texas vs. the Nation include: Pierre Garcon, Washington Redskins; Lardarius Webb, Baltimore Ravens; and Johnny Knox, Chicago Bears. One of every ten players in the NFL have played in Texas vs. the Nation while college seniors. The game attracts 225 NFL general managers, scouts and coaches.
“A virtual ‘who’s who’ of the NFL will descend upon Allen in February,” said Hansmire, “to select top talent for their teams.”
Texas vs. the Nation is excited to be part of the Allen community and has already found a way to give back. Working with the FBI’s National Child ID program, Texas vs. the Nation partners with the American Football Coaches Association and AllPlayers.com to supply an identification kit to every child in Allen ISD. Each year, more than 800,000 children in the U.S. are reported missing. When these tragedies happen, many parents are ill prepared and are not immediately able to provide law enforcement with vital information including fingerprints, and D.N.A. samples that could help in a situation when every second counts. Additionally, every player in the game will undergo a heart screening like those advocated by Living for Zachary, a Plano-based non-profit that wants all football players screened to prevent sudden cardiac arrest.
“We’re going to have a lot of fun,” said Bates, who will coach the Texas team to what he hopes is another victory. “We’re going to play with heart and we’re going to do our best to beat the Nation team.”