GREG LITTLE, TRINTON STURDIVANT, AND GARY GRAY RECEIVE PANTHER PRAISE FROM FORMER U.S. ARMY ALL-AMERICAN BOWL ALUM AND NFL VETERN
CHARLOTTE, NC (November 14, 2006) – Today, The Carolina Panthers continue to illustrate their support for youth athletics by honoring three local preps selected to the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl Class. Greg Little of Hillside H.S. in Durham, Trinton Sturdivant of Anson H.S. in Wadesboro and Gary Gray of Richland Northeast H.S. in Columbia, united with the Carolina Panthers during a press conference at Bank of America Stadium.
They join a group of extraordinary student-athletes selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday, January 6, 2007 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. This classic East vs. West match-up will be televised live on NBC at 1:00 p.m. (EST) and will feature the nation’s top 80 high school football athletes.
Brett Basanez, a 2001 U.S. Army All-American Bowl Alum, was on hand to pay tribute to the All-Americans and to the Bowl that jump-started his career. In 2001, Basanez was named the USA Today Illinois Player of the Year, started at quarterback for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl EAST Squad and then went on to start 40 of 46 games for Northwestern University. The Carolina Panthers signed Basanez earlier this year.
NFL veteran, Mike Minter was also on hand to support the accomplishments of these athletes and the unique foundation that the U.S. Army All-American Bowl provides. Even with an impressive victory last night, with five tackles, a pass deflection and a fumble recovery, Minter allocated his time to officially present Little, Sturdivant and Gray their U.S. Army All-American Bowl Jerseys.
“Greg Little is the All-American versatile player who will lead and exceed at any position,” said Summer Harris, Public Relations Director of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. “With Trinton Sturdivant’s ability to be light on his feet and his uncanny ability to read any defense, Sturdivant will give any QB the time to find his target. Gary Gray is tough, aggressive and his timing is second to none. With Little and Sturdivant on offense and Gary Gray on defense, the EAST Squad will be tough competition. Greg Little, Trinton Sturdivant, and Gary Gray are tremendous all-around athletes and the Bowl is proud to have them join the U.S. Army All-American Class of 2007.”
As U.S. Army All-Americans, Little, Sturdivant, and Gray are all eligible for the following honors: the U.S. Army Player of the Year Award, Walter Payton Trophy, AFL Ironman of the Year, U.S. Army Scholar Athlete Awards and the Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard U.S. Army Awards
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl and SportsLink (owners and producers of the Bowl) would like to thank the entire Carolina Panther Organization for their continued support of youth football and the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
