(Canton, OH) For the first time ever, the top prep football players from across the United States and the world will be showcased in an All-Star Bowl being played outside the United States in Mexico City, Mexico to help grow fans abroad.
The world’s top 70 football players will be invited to the biggest all-star game ever, the Pro Football Hall of Fame World Bowl Presented by Xenith on December 22 at Azul Stadium in Mexico City.
Oaks Christian High School senior, Kayvon Thibodeaux, a defensive end on the varsity football team, was chosen to participate in the internationally publicized event. Thibodeaux is currently the number 1 recruit in college football. He is said to be considering the University of Alabama, Florida State University, the University of Oregon, University of Florida, and USC. Upon the announcement, Thibodeaux took to Twitter to share a positive message with fans. Click here to see the video.
Kayvon Thibodeaux
What is the Pro Football Hall of Fame World Bowl Presented by Xenith?
The internationally publicized event was inspired by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Academy which has traveled to Europe, China and Mexico over the past 12 months training top international athletes. The Academy also trains the top 50 preps from the United States in Canton annually.
Xenith CEO, Ryan Sullivan
“Football is more global than ever with games in London and Mexico and through the Pro Football Hall of Fame on missions to Israel, Denmark and the Vatican,” Pro Football Hall of Fame President & CEO David Baker commented. “For the last three years at the National Youth Football & Sports Complex at Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village in Canton, the Hall of Fame Academy has trained young football players from 12 countries on playing football with respect and learning the values of the game. This summer, the top 45 All-American high school players did the same.”
Baker added, “With the great work the Hall of Fame Academy has been doing in Mexico, and now this opportunity for a world-class high school All-Star game in Mexico on worldwide television, the Hall of Fame is serving its important mission, promoting the great values of the game and celebrating excellence everywhere.”
“Given the global reach of American football and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Academy, the opportunity to celebrate the world’s best in Mexico City is exciting. This Bowl will connect oceans, borders and languages,” Pro Football Hall of Fame Academy General Manager Rich McGuinness stated.
All athletes will be outfitted in Xenith helmets and gear on game day. Detroit-based Xenith achieves top safety ratings with every helmet made. As a world leader in protecting athletes, Xenith is eager to expand their global reach with the World Bowl.
“As football rapidly grows internationally, Xenith is proud and passionate to be on the forefront of the sport’s rising momentum,” said Ryan Sullivan, CEO of Xenith. “Xenith’s design and innovation are what today’s generation of committed athletes needs to elevate their game. The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s first ever World Bowl presented by Xenith is an ideal global platform to showcase the Xenith brand while outfitting committed athletes on and off the field.”
What can fans expect at the All-Star Bowl?
The coaches and scouting staff for the game will feature Gold Jackets (a term used to refer to living members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame) like Rod Woodson and former NFL GM Ray Farmer along with former legendary NFL coaches like former Raiders Defensive Coordinator Chuck Bresnahan and former Dallas Cowboy Assistant Head Coach, Robert Ford. NFL legends include Tory Holt and T.J. Houshmandzadeh who will also coach in the Bowl.
The Bowl is being led in Mexico by Michael Sanchez, a top coach in Mexico, who has served as the Mexican Scout for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Academy. The Scouting is led by long time U.S. college scout Gary Howard with support from International Academy Director Franco Arellanos.
Signing Day at the Event
Unique to the Bowl is “National Signing Day,” on December 19 allowing many all-star bowl athletes to announce their college commitment live to the world a few days before participating in the All-Star Game.
For more information about this event, visit their website by clicking here.
Bowl tickets went on sale in October on www.frontonmexico.com. VIP Seating was priced at $35.00 (with only 1,000 tickets made available) and general admission was priced at $15.00.
