NFLPA Collegiate Bowl
| NFLPA Collegiate Bowl | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Stadium | StubHub Center |
| Location | Carson, California |
| Operated | 2012–present |
| Sponsors | |
| Former names | |
| 2016 matchup | |
| National vs. American (National 18–17) | |
| 2017 matchup | |
| National vs. American (National 27–7) | |
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is a post-season college football game for NFL draft-eligible college players. The event was founded in 2012 by the National Football League Players Association. The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is held yearly at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
In January 2012, the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) founded the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl after sponsoring the Texas vs the Nation game in previous years. 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.
The event is hosted at the StubHub Center in Carson, California and was sponsored by AstroTurf in 2012, Winnol in 2013, and Panini in 2014.
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. The NFLPA also hosts community-focused events including a youth football clinic.
The inaugural NFLPA Collegiate Bowl was held on January 21, 2012 and broadcast on the NBC Sports Network. Former NFL coaches Dick Vermeil and Tom Flores coached the National and American teams respectively. The National team won the game 20–14. Following the game, G.J. Kinne was named MVP. The second annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl was held on January 19, 2013. Prior to the game, the NFLPA and ESPN signed a multiyear agreement to air the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on the ESPN Network. The game was broadcast on ESPN2 and, as part of the agreement, some of the practices leading up to the event were aired on ESPNU. Dick Vermeil returned to coach the National team and Herm Edwards was selected to coach the American team. The National team won the game 34–0 and Dayne Crist was named MVP.
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