SAN ANTONIO – Players with the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, their families and military personnel were treated to an awards show by the U.S. Army at the Lila Cockrell Theatre in San Antonio Jan. 3, 2014.
The awards show was put on to honor the accomplishments of the participants of the All-American Bowl.
The crowd was able to enjoy an event-filled night, with performances by the U.S. Army Band's rock component, The Volunteers, and guest speakers such as hall of famer and former Pittsburgh Steeler Rod Woodson.
“Seeing my teammates being nominated and getting all of these awards was exciting for me. I'm really happy for them,” said Derrick Nnadi, All-American Bowl East Team defensive lineman from Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, Va.
During the show, Elijah Hood, running back with the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl East Team from Charlotte Catholic High School in Charlotte, N.C., was named the U.S. Army Player of the Year and awarded the Ken Hall Trophy.
The American Family Insurance Defensive Player of the Year Award was also awarded to Dante Booker, line backer with the 2014 U.S. Army All-American East Team from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio.
The Anthony Munoz Lineman of the Year Award was presented to Thomas Solomon, defensive lineman with the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl West Team from Coppell High School in Coppell, Texas.
Nnadi has only spent a few days with his teammates, but already he feels close to them.
“A lot of these guys have become my friends now,” Nnadi said.
To know that their efforts and accomplishments as athletes were being recognized was a relief to Nifae Lealao, All-American Bowl West Team defensive lineman from Capital Christian High School in Sacramento, Calif.
“My teammate worked hard for those awards and to know that his hard work didn't go unnoticed is really cool,” Lealao said. “It was a good awards presentation. It was a good representation of what 'Army Strong' and excellence really means, which reminds us of why we're really here.”
The All-American Bowl features America's best senior high school football players competing in an East vs. West game. This year's game is scheduled Jan. 4, 2014.