Brownwood Lions Wide Receiver Jaxon Shipley was selected to play in the 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Shipley will be playing on the West Team and was presented with his All-American jersey by Staff Sergeant Louis Pulse (left) and Major Daniel Thibeaux (right) on Monday morning when the 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Tour came to Brownwood.
The San Antonio classic will be played on Saturday, January 8th, 2011, in the Alamodome, Live on NBC.
Shipley is one of only 90 high school football players among the millions in the United States who will be selected this year.
Jaxon’s dad, Brownwood Lions Head Coach Bob Shipley, talked about the selection now and when his older son Jordan Shipley was picked years ago.
“When Jordan went, we didn’t have any idea what an experience and honor it would be,” Coach Shipley said. “Everything has just been first class.”
Although there was an intense media blitz that hit Brownwood High School during the ceremony, both Jaxon Shipley and his dad were still focused on the task at hand.
“This team keeps me grounded,” said Coach Shipley. “Right now I am focused on Thursday night playing a 5-0 team.”
Jaxon gave his thoughts on what kind of hard work and determination helped get him to this point.
“Working on my routes, working on all the little stuff,” said Jaxon Shipley. “I think that’s what separates the good players from the great.”
Shipley will join an impressive list of past U.S Army All-Americans that includes more than 100 first-round NFL draft picks and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. NFL stars such as Adrian Peterson, Mark Sanchez and Vince Young all count themselves among the alumni of the All-American Bowl. Jaxon’s older brother Jordan played in the 2004 Army All-American Bowl.
Annually, the All-American Bowl is the Army’s largest public outreach effort, allowing the Army to share its story with tens of millions of people. The 90 players from across the country will be selected to be on the East and West Teams for the 2011 game, which will be televised live on NBC on Jan. 8. The team rosters will be complete by mid-December.
See video of the presentation ceremony below.
Photos by Lisa Tipton.
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