The Commonwealth American Football League (CAFL) will be partnering with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Sports Tourism Department of the Ministry of Tourism to honor some local football legends at the inaugural Popeyes Bahamas Bowl on Christmas Eve, December 24.
The 26 players who will be honored during half-time of the game between the Mid-American Conference's (MAC) Central Michigan Chippewas (7-5) and Conference USA's Western Kentucky University (WKU) Hilltoppers (7-5) at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium will be the second set of players to be honored by the CAFL. The first group of four was honored during half-time of the HBCUX (Historically Black Colleges and Universities Experience) Classic in September that featured the Texas Southern University (TSU) Tigers and the Central State University (CSU) Marauders. TSU went on to win that game, 30-16.
"They (Bahamas Bowl organizers) are in support of the CAFL honoring a number of its former players who have made a significant contribution to the sport," said CAFL Commissioner Mel Ferguson. "One of the things that we do is pool together a selection committee of players who played back then. In The Bahamas, there aren't much written records, especially in sports, so we could not go by statistics. We made the choices based on personal memories and we also went by longevity, how long did the individuals played in the league, and the type of impact they had, not only as an athlete but in the community as well.
We have other criteria, but these are the most important things. It was important that we got the endorsement of both ministries. They have been working diligently with us over the past few months."
The CAFL will also host a special banquet on the March 7, 2015 for the honorees. The location will be announced at a later date.
The honorees are being invited to attend the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl courtesy of the bowl committee, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, and the Ministry of Tourism. The players previously recognized at the HBCUX Classic are also being invited to share in the moment at the upcoming game and the banquet. Tickets are being provided for both events, and can be collected from the CAFL Council or at the stadium on the day of the game.
Ferguson noted that another goal of the CAFL is to get some of their athletes inducted into the National Sports Hall of Fame.
"I think inadvertently we had a player or two left out of the process this year," he said. "We have been reassured, beginning with these honorees, we will have CAFL athletes represented in that hall of fame process."
The CAFL is encouraging all former American football players in The Bahamas to attend the Bahamas Bowl.
On Monday December 22, the coaching staffs of the visiting teams will conduct a football clinic for Bahamian youth. Tickets will be available for all who attend the clinic on Monday. Parents are being encouraged to bring their kids out and take advantage of the opportunity for them to witness the first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) bowl game to be held in The Bahamas and for them to receive free Popeyes Chicken samples as well.
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