Manhattan Beach quarterback named to All-American squad
Manhattan Beach eight-year-old Sam Whitney made quite an impression during his first experience of tackle football, being selected as quarterback for the Offense-Defense Youth All-American Bowl to be held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX. Photos by Rich Whitney
Eight year-old Sam Whitney wasn’t sure which rush he was anticipating more – the one experienced during Christmas morning or the one he would be facing a few days later.
The third grader at Robinson Elementary School was selected as an All-American quarterback and named to the 3rd Annual Offense-Defense (O-D) Youth All-American Bowl, a nationwide all-star game between East and West teams that is part of a week long series of events held Dec. 26-31 leading up to the nationally-televised, 6th annual Offense-Defense All-American Bowl that showcases 80 of the top high school seniors in the country.
Unfortunately for Whitney, he recently learned that taking on the East defense will not be an option. A previously family outing will keep him from competing in the game to be held in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX, home of the Dallas Cowboys. It was a tough life lesson taught at an early age.
Manhattan Beach third-grader Sam Whitney
“Sam has been selected as an All-American and invited to play in the game but unfortunately the date was set at a time he cannot attend because of a previously scheduled family trip so he won’t be playing,” Sam’s father, Rich Whitney said. “You can imagine a few tears were shed over that one. I can’t even imagine having the opportunity as an eight-year-old to play in Cowboy Stadium and then find out you can’t go. But in the end, it was a good lesson about what is most important and he is nevertheless very proud of having been selected.”
Whitney was selected from thousands of young athletes participating in O-D football camps held nationally.
“I am sad that I can’t make the trip to Dallas but my family trip is more important,” Whitney said. “Just being chosen means more to me than playing in the actual game. I am going to do my best to get picked again and maybe go next year.”
The O-D All-American Bowl is now entering its 6th consecutive year of operation. The 2010 NFL Draft marked the entry of members of the inaugural Bowl class (2007) into the National Football League. With players like Dez Bryant, Joe Haden, Rolando McClain, Earl Thomas, Carlos Dunlap, and Golden Tate going in the first two rounds alone, the O-D All-American Bowl is anticipating many of its alumni to have an impact at the professional level.
Current Carolina Panther Starting Quarterback and first pick of the 2011 NFL draft, Cameron Newton, won MVP honors in the inaugural game in 2007.
Offense-Defense Sports has been running full-contact football instructional camps for the past 43 years and currently operates approximately 40 camp locations nationwide every summer.
For Whitney, who played quarterback for the Division 3 Lions in the Beach Cities Sports flag football league, the summer camp was his first experience with tackle football.
“I hope to start playing tackle football when I am 10,” Whitney said. “Right now I love playing flag.”
With the absence of a local professional team, many young boys turn their loyalties to the collegiate level. But you won’t find Whitney rooting for USC or UCLA – at least not anytime soon.
“My favorite football team is Penn State,” Whitney exclaimed. “And my favorite player is Cam Newton because he’s a great quarterback and he played in the O-D All-American Bowl when he was in high school.”
It sounds like Whitney’s first taste of tackle football has already left an impression.
For more information on the O-D camps, visit http://www.o-d.com.