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