Antigonish, NS – StFX X-Men football offensive lineman Vernon Sainvil has been invited to the 2017 Tropical Bowl all-star game. The Tropical Bowl is a premier Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Division I level college football all-star game played in Daytona Beach, Florida annually in mid-January.
This year's event is slated for January 15, 2017 and will showcase the top college football seniors to NFL scouts and general managers who travel from around the country to the event. Sainvil is the only athlete from a U Sports team to be invited, the remaining athletes are from NCAA schools.
"We were very excited to learn that Vernon Sainvil has been invited to the 2017 Tropical Bowl in Florida," comments X-Men head coach Gary Waterman. "Vernon has been a force for us on the offensive line, ending his StFX career this past season by being recognized as the AUS outstanding lineman."
"In addition, he is only the fourth player in school history to be named a three time CIS/U Sports All-Canadian athlete. Vernon's athleticism, toughness and high football I.Q. will serve him well as he competes against some of the top players in American college football. We wish Vernon well and are excited for what the future holds for him."
As a native of Malden, MA, Sainvil is not eligible to compete in the annual U Sports East-West Bowl which features the top Canadian Football League (CFL) draft prospects, as he is not Canadian draft-eligible.
In addition to being honored as the 2016 AUS outstanding lineman, Sainvil is a three-time AUS offensive all-star and has been honored as a CIS (now U Sports) All-Canadian in each of the past three seasons. This year he garnered first team All-Canadian status and he was a second team All-Canadian in 2015 and 2014. Only former X-Men Henoc Muamba (2008, 2009 & 2010), Pat Jancy (1983, 1984 & 1986) and Kevin Aver (1975, 1979 & 1980) have also garnered All-Canadian status three times in their career.
The 6'6", 330 pound lineman is excited as the prospect of playing in the Tropical Bowl, commenting "I feel honoured, it's a big deal for myself and the X-Men football program."
"Hopefully I can catch someone's eye, but also bring a positive image to my school and our conference. I am hoping to go out there and shine."
The Tropical Bowl weekend is focused on scouting, teaching, and football. The inaugural 2016 game was held in Miami and featured 27 NFL teams and over 70 NFL scouts in attendance. The official 2017 Tropical Bowl rosters will be announced on January 5th. More information on the Bowl game is available at http://www.tropicalbowl.com/.
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