Get Ready for the Biggest High School Football Game of the Year U.S. Army Soldiers

Get Ready for the Biggest High School Football Game of the Year
U.S. Army Soldiers talk about the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl and how they will mentor tomorrow’s leaders during Bowl Week

Good News speaks to SSG Rodriguez, Rodrigo, from San Antonio, Texas.
On Saturday, Jan. 7 at 1 PM EST, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl will kick off at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. As the premier East versus West high school football all-star matchup, the game serves as the preeminent launching pad for America’s future college and NFL stars.

The nearly 100 football players and 125 band musicians and Color Guard members chosen to participate in the Bowl do not just excel on the field or in music, but also mirror the strengths of Army Soldiers—strengths like dedication, determination, loyalty, integrity and adaptability.

In interviews on Jan. 4, you can talk to U.S. Army Soldiers about the upcoming game and Bowl Week activities, the selection process, student mentoring and their own Army careers, in addition to how the U.S. Army All-American Bowl has connected the Army to the American people for more than 15 years.

U.S. Army All-American Bowl Facts:
• Throughout its history, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl has engaged with more than 1,800 schools nationwide.
• Football players are paired with Army Soldier Mentors—outstanding Soldiers who have earned distinctions in their commands—and those pairs interact throughout Bowl Week in a variety of activities.
• The U.S. Army All-American Bowl boasts two Heisman Trophy winners, nine NFL Rookies of the Year, 330 NFL draft picks, 106 NFL Pro Bowlers and 37 Super Bowl Champions. Odell Beckham Jr., Andrew Luck, Patrick Peterson, Adrian Peterson and Christian McCaffrey made their national debuts as U.S. Army All-Americans.
• The U.S. Army All-American Marching Band performs at halftime.

Suggested Questions:
• What is the U.S. Army All-American Bowl?
• How are students from around the country selected to participate?
• Talk about the activities during Bowl week and your role as an Army Soldier Mentor.
• As one of today’s heroes, how do you think this game is helping to foster the development of tomorrow’s leaders?
• How do these football players and band members embody the Army values?
• Where can listeners get additional information for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl?

About the Talent: Full bios available upon request
Organization Rank Name Hometown
USASOC CPT Duke, Jonathan Provo, Utah
USASOC SSG Chambers, Joshua Little Rock, Arkansas
USASOC CW2 Mescher, Thomas Coldwater, Ohio
USASOC SGT Rangel, Ayax El Paso, Texas
USASOC SSG Herrera, Rene San Antonio, Texas

Cadet OY CDT Phillips, John L. Blacksburg, Virginia
Recruiter OY SSG Heimsoth, Kenneth J. Waverly, Missouri
NCO OY SFC Moeller, Joshua A. Riverside, California
Soldier OY SPC Miller, Robert D. Clarksville, Tennessee
Drill SGT OY (A) SFC Delaney, Martin Jacksboro, Texas
Platoon SGT OY SSG Laspe, Brandon Katie, Texas
AAB Tour NCOs SSG Rodriguez, Rodrigo San Antonio, Texas
AMRG Mentor SGT Lei-Sam, Joseph Motootua, Samoa
USAREC Mentor SGT Owens, Shavelle Fayetteville, North Carolina

These interviews are provided by the U.S. Army.