In January 2012, the NFLPA founded the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl after sponsoring the Texas vs The Nation game in previous years.[2] The inaugural NFLPA Collegiate Bowl was open to NFL draft-eligible underclassmen players but, beginning with the second annual event, only draft-eligible seniors were allowed to participate.[3][4]
The event was established in part to prepare draft-eligible college football players for a career in the NFL. During the week preceding the game, the NFLPA provides an introduction to the players union and educates players on the business side of an NFL career. Current and former NFL players are invited to attend the week's events to share their NFL experiences with the draft eligible players.[4][3][5] The NFLPA also hosts community-focused events including a youth football clinic.[6]
The game utilizes some special rules. As of the 2018 edition, a kickoff starts each half (per normal rules), while the second and fourth quarters begin with the team that kicked off the half starting with a first-and-ten at their 25-yard-line. Also, a team trailing by 20 or more points retains possession of the ball following a score.[10]
According to the game's official website, 112 players participated in the 2018 game, representing 84 colleges; 42 players were invited to the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, with 19 selected in the 2018 NFL draft.[11]
Game results
Dick Vermeil led the National team to victory three times.
Through the 2023 playing of the game, the National team leads the series, 9–2. Coach and score of the winning team are in bold font.
In 2012, the inaugural NFLPA Collegiate Bowl was broadcast on the NBC Sports Network.[29] In December 2012, the NFLPA and ESPN signed a multiyear agreement to air the game on the ESPN network.[30] The 2013 game was broadcast on ESPN2 and, as part of the agreement, some of the practices leading up to the event were aired on ESPNU.[3][5] ESPN continued as the broadcaster through the 2016 game. In 2017, the game moved to Fox Sports 1.[31] In 2020, it moved to the NFL Network, the first game in an agreement to run through the 2024 edition.[32]
^"Statement On 2021 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Game". nflpa.com (Press release). November 13, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020. After careful consideration, the NFLPA has decided to cancel the 2021 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
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