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GARDEN GROVE, Calif. - Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl players began practice at Fullerton College Stadium (East Team), Fullerton, California, and Santa Ana Stadium (West Team), Santa Ana, California, Dec. 30.
The players laughed and shouted as they trudged their way across the field before starting practice. A more serious temperament would prevail when they were done.
The SFAAB hand-picks approximately 90 of the nation’s best football players who have demonstrated success both on the field and in the classroom. The week-long engagement challenges those selected to push their limits and grow as individuals and teammates.
“We are here to motivate them, show them a different style of discipline and teach them the Marine Corps’ leadership traits to help them succeed,” said Staff Sgt. Carlos Taveres, Senior Drill Instructor, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California.
The partnership between the Marines and the players is a natural one, as both demand quality of character, excellence in education, and proven physical fitness. A driving factor for the program is the commitment from the Marines and coaches to show the student-athletes the true meaning of honor, courage and commitment.
“In the Marine Corps and football, it is not about the individual, but the team,” said Taveres. “Each player has to do their part to be victorious, and we are teaching the students the traits and disciplines that make us successful, and that can be applied to help them too.”
Drill instructors led the players through warm-up exercises, instilling discipline, reinforcing Marine Corps values and ensuring a sense of urgency throughout practice.
“Working with the drill instructors was awesome,” said Shurod Thompson, a safety for the East team from Liberty High School in Brentwood, California. “They pushed us to limits we didn’t think we could reach, but we reached them. They showed us we need discipline to go forward to succeed in this football game. I look forward to working with them more and taking away what I learn here.”
As the players marched off the field, they took off their sweat-drenched helmets, knowing they were one day closer to the week’s finale, the Semper Fi Football All-American Bowl.
The 2016 SFAAB will kick off at the Stubhub Center in Carson, California, and will broadcast live on Fox Sports 1, at 6 p.m. PST, Jan. 3, 2016.
For more updates, please visit https://facebook.com/SemperFidelisFootball or https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/MCRC#.Vk8u7V3ovIW.
| Date Taken: | 12.30.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.30.2015 19:13 |
| Story ID: | 185498 |
| Location: | GARDEN GROVE, CA, US |
| Hometown: | BRENTWOOD, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 95 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Practice kicks off for 2016 Semper Fi Bowl, by PFC Brendan Roethel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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