PHILADELPHIA – Temple TE Evan Rodriguez (North Bergen, N.J.) has been selected to play in the 87th East-West Shrine Game® on January 21 in St. Petersburg, Fla. The game will be televised on the NFL Network, kicking off at 4 p.m. ET from Tropicana Field. Rodriguez joins Owl teammate OL Derek Dennis (Peekskill, N.Y.) on the East roster, coached by former Army coach Bobby Ross.
“Words cannot describe the feeling you get from bringing so much joy into these children's lives,” said Ross, who also coached the game in 2008 and is proud to support Shriners Hospitals for Children for a second time. “I'm so proud to be back coaching the East-West Shrine Game and helping raise money for a special cause.“
A two-time first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection, Rodriguez played in all 13 games with 12 starts at tight end in 2011. Named to the Mackey Award Watch List, he led the Owls with 479 yards and two touchdowns on 35 receptions. In the win at Maryland, Rodriguez had a career-high 96 yards on five receptions en route to National TE?of the Week honors from the National Football Performance Awards.
Rodriguez is the eighth Temple Owl to participate in the prestigious game since 1940.
While the teams are divided by East and West, the players come together for the beneficiary of the event, Shriners Hospitals for Children®, an international pediatric specialty health care system.
The East-West Shrine Game tickets are on sale now through all Ticketmaster outlets. Fans can purchase tickets for the January 21, 2012 game online at www.shrinegame.com, www.ticketmaster.com, or by phone at (727) 342-5777.
All game tickets are $15 general admission tickets (price does not include service fees).
About Shriners Hospitals for ChildrenShriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. The 22 hospitals in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. To learn more about Shriners Hospitals for Children, please visit www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.
