The first of two Lakota West High School football players slated to play in the All-American Bowl was presented his jersey Friday afternoon.
Senior Tegra Tshabola, a towering force at 6-foot-6-inch and 330 pounds, slipped on his 2XL jersey in front of his family and teammates. The Ohio State offensive line commit then posed for photos with his family, administrators and his fellow Firebirds.
"It's an awesome opportunity," Tshabola said. "I've seen all these guys that played in this game, all these superstars that played in this game, it's awesome to step in their shoes a little bit and get a glimpse of the future."
Based on the number of NFL players who have participated in the All-American Bowl, each photo may become a collector's item. Since its inception, more than 450 players have gone pro. Notable alumni include Andrew Luck, Odell Beckham Jr., Adrian Peterson, Tim Tebow, DeMarco Murray and Chase Young.
Locally, Princeton's Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State), Covington Catholic's Michael Mayer (Notre Dame) and Wyoming's Evan Prater (Cincinnati) played in the game in San Antonio.
"It's not something that I thought would happen when I was a freshman coming into the sport," Tshabola said. "I really didn't think I would get to this point. I'm ready for it. I'm training every day for it."
Tshabola said his immediate family and some cousins will attend the All-American Bowl along with Lakota West coach Tom Bolden. Bolden was able to watch his nephew Joe Bolden play in an Under Armour all-star event, and was an assistant when former Colerain Cardinals Eugene Clifford and Conner Smith played in the All-American Bowl.
"I'll get to go and enjoy the experience," Bolden said. "I'm kind of hoping selfishly they ask me to coach. I might try to reach out and ask, 'How do I get to be a part of this in terms of coaching?' There's two guys in the same game? I'll go coach the kickers, holders or snappers or something!"
The next event will take place Jan. 8, 2022, at the Alamodome at 1 p.m on NBC. Tshabola's Lakota West teammate Jyaire Brown will also play in the contest. Brown, like Tshabola, is an Ohio State commit.
"It's a big-time game," Bolden said. "It's first-class, a lot of great players have played in it. What a neat experience for the kids to be a part of something like that. Having two from the same team is pretty cool."
Taft's Adolphus Washington Jr. (Ohio State) and Dwayne Stanford (Oregon) played in the game in 2012 when it was known as the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Both Brown and Tshabola watched the Buckeyes opener Thursday night in Minnesota, a 45-31 victory. Another local, Miyan Williams of Winton Woods, had a 71-yard touchdown run in the game.
More:Oops by FOX: OSU Buckeyes' fourth-quarter TD not Miyan Williams, not worth nine points
"It's not like the Ohio State football team anymore, it's my team almost," Tshabola said.
Brown will have his jersey presentation later this season at Lakota West. The Firebirds visit Oak Hills Friday. On Friday, Sept. 10, they host Princeton.
Source link
