By JON WILSON, Consulting Editor, TB Reporter

More than 100 of the nation’s best college football players are preparing for the annual East-West all-star game, which is at 3 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 21) at Tropicana Field.

ST. PETERSBURG — The game has been played since 1925 and is a fund-raiser for Shriners Hospitals for Children. Tickets are $15 general admission and will be sold on game day at Tropicana Field’s Gates 1 and 4. Gate 1 opens at 11 a.m., Gate 4 at 10 a.m. Both close at the end of the third quarter. General admission tickets are also being online at tickets.com. Those may cost more because of taxes and additional fees.

For information about the game, its history, the teams, practices and tickets, visit www.shrinegame.com/

Fans can preview the teams during their practices through Thursday at Shorecrest Preparatory School, 5101 First Street NE in St. Petersburg. There’s on-field access, but bleacher seating is available. Times may vary,

The game brings together more than 100 of the best college players, with those from western colleges and universities lined up again those from the eastern schools. Players from Canadian schools also are eligible.  It particularly attracts players from smaller schools or big-school players who play for larger schools but are not widely known.  The game is viewed by professional scouts as a chance to see potential recruits for the National Football League, and the effort pans out. Last year, for example, more than 70 players made the final rosters of NFL teams.

Among the pro greats who have played in the Shrine Game are the New England Patriots’ Tom Brady, the Denver Broncos’ John Elway and Green Bay Packers’ Hall-of-Famer Brett Favre.

Sports | College Football | East-West Shrine Game | Tropicana Field | TB Reporter

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