PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ACADEMY TO HOST A WORLD BOWL PRESENTED BY XENITH IN MEXICO CITY FEATURING TOP HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE

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. The world’s top 70 football players will be invited to the biggest all-star game ever, the Pro Football Hall of Fame World All-Star Bowl Presented by Xenith on December 22 at Azul Stadium in Mexico City.

The 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.

“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.”

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. 

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.

National and international television partners for the Bowl and Signing Day will be announced in the coming weeks. 

The roster of athletes selected for the historic 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame World All-Star Bowl Presented by Xenith will be announced in November via the www.profootballhofacademy.com and on social media.  

Among some of the best prep players in the United States committed to the game include the following (listed in parentheses are offers received from colleges):

• Taulia Tagovailoa, QB, Thompson High School, Alabaster, Ala., (LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee & Florida) – Highlights by HOF Productions
• Ryan Hilinski, QB, Orange (Calif.) Lutheran, Orange, (South Carolina, Stanford, Ohio State, USC & Ole Miss) – Highlights by HOF Productions
• Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oaks Christian High School, Westlake Village, Calif. (Alabama, Florida State, Oregon, Florida & USC) – Highlights by HOF Productions
• Clay Webb, C, Oxford (Ala.) High School, (Alabama, Clemson, Auburn, Georgia & Michigan) – Highlights by HOF Productions – Highlights by HOF Productions

In addition, several top players from Mexico will participate in the Bowl and be announced in the coming weeks.

The week leading up to the Pro Football Hall of Fame World All-Star Bowl Presented by Xenith will also include a free coaches’ clinic for up to 1,000 Mexico coaches, a combine for top Mexican athletes and a Game for Life Character development for youth athletes led by Hall of Famers.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame World All-Star Bowl Presented by Xenith will be produced by Hall of Fame Productions.  

Bowl tickets go on sale Monday (October 29, 2018) on www.frontonmexico.com. VIP Seating is $35.00 (only 1,000 tickets) and general admission is $15.00.