Eric Galko Breaks Down the East-West Shrine Bowl's Big Announcement
The East-West Shrine Bowl heads moves to Las Vegas to become a part of the NFL's Pro Bowl week.
An institution in the collegiate all-star game space announced a major change in venue yesterday with the backing of the NFL and NFL Network.
As first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the East-West Shrine Bowl will have a new home in Las Vegas after previously being held in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The game will take place in Allegiant Stadium as part of NFL Pro Bowl week on Feb. 3 and will be televised on NFL Network, according to the Shrine Bowl’s official release.
Shrine Bowl Director of Football Ops and Player Personnel Eric Galko joined BJ Kissel on Outside the Trenches, presented by Jack Stack Barbeque, to talk about the Shrine Bowl’s move out west.
“Really for the last two months, it’s been building towards moving the event and really kind of injecting some new life into the event,” Galko said. “This will be the 97th year of the Shrine Bowl. For the first 75 years, the event was a pillar for the NFL and college offseason. For the last 15 to 20 years it has not been and it’s my job to kind of bring that back.”
The Shrine Bowl has been played since 1925 and is the nation’s longest-running college all-star game. Former Kansas City Chiefs Willie Roaf, Will Shields and current guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif all participated in the Shrine Bowl. Mike Kafka, Elijah McGuire, and Mike Garrett also played in the game.
“It’s been a lot, but it’s been rewarding,” Galko said. “Obviously, having a partner like the NFL to endorse us, support us and work with us to make the Shrine Bowl and the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, which is what the game is all about, be successful is really helpful as well.”
The Shrine Bowl is set to take place three days prior to the NFL’s Pro Bowl, giving potential draft picks a unique perspective into the top talent in the league.
“I’m excited the event has been announced,” Galko said. “We’re in Vegas. This is not we did it, take it easy, have a few beers and relax and go play the slots. This is now we’re here, now we’re in Vegas, now we’re with the NFL. Let’s go on to what’s next and make the event great and help raise some awareness for the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.”