The All American Bowl (AAB) is a way to showcase 90 of the best high school football players, 125 of the best high school band members and color guard and more than 100 hundred heroes of the Army. 

Along with the opportunity for these young athletes and musicians to show what they are made of on the field, they also have a week to spend with Soldier Heroes.  This was an experience of a lifetime for many who were involved in this event.  The East and West teams has less than 4 days to practice together to be ready for the big day.  Mixed in with the practice is a week full of media, social events and community service opportunities.

I was there with some of the other “OYs,” as they called us (ie., Soldier of the Year, NCO of the Year, Drill Sergeant, Recruiter, Cadet, etc. of the Year).  It was nice to meet everyone and glean from their experience. From the moment we hit the ground, they had our schedules packed tight with interviews, press conferences, and player-Soldier events.

One of the events that we participated in was the “Punt, Pass, Kick” event at the Alamodome.  This was rather frightening for me, as I have very limited football experience. The Army Marksmanship Unit Shotgun team ran a station at the AAB, so they spent the morning trying to teach me everything there is to know about football. 

For the event, each “OY,” teams up with a Wounded Warrior and a few of the high school players for a distance competition where each of us had to punt, pass or kick a football for the most yards. My first attempt at a kick almost rendered our Public Affairs Officer handless, but overall, my team came in second place I  even managed to punt the ball 35 yards in a straight line.  Some of the other events they had for the “OYs” included a Fox and Friends interview, a press conference with some of the players and school tours through the Army Strong Zone.

The Army Strong Zone was a huge entertainment and education area that showcased various Army opportunities.  I did not get to spent much time there, but from what I saw, it covered anything  from basic training to army combative to the latest and greatest Army technology.

SSG McDougal (NCOY) and I got to go in a jet simulator in which all I succeeded in doing was us incredibly dizzy.  We also got to take an Army prototype dune buggy over a dirty course.  The Army Strong Zone provided many hands on learning experiences for kids who might want to to become our Army’s future Soldiers and leaders.

I had the privilege of spending a day with the Army Marksmanship Unit’s Shotgun Team.  They provided shotgun coaching (skeet and trap) to AAB tours throughout the week.  It was awesome seeing people who have never fired a round in their lives hitting target after target.  Along with this, the team put on an unbelievable  shotgun demonstration.  They are an amazing team, and if they ever stop  shooting. I have complete faith from their coaching skills with me that they can do a thing or two with a football.

Although everyone was there for the football game, the main focus was on the strength of the  players and the strength of the Army.  We attended the Awards Dinner the night before the game.  It was a neat opportunity to meet SSG Giunta, a Medal of Honor recipient), Ndamukong Suh, Anthony Munoz, and all of ther other amazing people at the dinner.  The game was equally   impressive, and the players did fantastic, especially considering the little amount of practice they had playing with together.  One highlight for me was being able to award the Player of the Year award to Demetrius Hart with Sergeant Major of the Army Preston on NBC during the halftime show. 

The mental strength it takes to be one of these  Army All-American players correlates to the of the Army Strong Soldier. The AAB is not meant to recruit these athletes into the Army, but to show America’s youth that with motivation, perseverance and determination, anything can be accomplished.  The opportunity to set and achienve goals, better yourself and others, and fight for what you believe in is what makes America so great!