COVID-19 concerns cited in cancellation of 2021 All-American Bowl

The concerns around COVID-19 has postponed and canceled a lot of sporting events so far this year. It now appears the health risks associated with the disease spread have also seeped into 2021, too. NBC Sports announced via a press release on Tuesday afternoon there will not be an All-American Bowl contested in 2021.

The 2021 All-American Bowl, which was set to be played in January 2021 at the
Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, annually showcases the best high school football players in
the country.

Important message regarding the 2021 All-American Bowl pic.twitter.com/kFv93Khboz

— All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) October 20, 2020

“Our priority is on the health and safety of players, their friends and family, and everyone associated with the Bowl,” said Gary Quinn, Vice President, Programming & Owned Properties, NBC Sports. “While we will miss the Bowl in San Antonio this year, we look forward to celebrating all 100 athletes joining the All-American Bowl family and recognizing their hard work and dedication on Jan. 2 on NBC.”

Ryan Lacey, a part of the All-American Bowl selection committee, shared his thoughts on what went into canceling the game via his social media account.

Figured I would go with the Notes app as it feels like the best route for the @AABonNBC athletes.

I’m gutted by this decision—no other way to say it. However, it was the decision we had to make and it takes leadership to do so.

My phone is open if any of you want to reach out. pic.twitter.com/oMeq01Rhoz

— Ryan Lacey (@rlacey23) October 20, 2020

The 21st annual edition of the game will not take place his year, but NBC Sports will offer a two-hour special on Jan. 2 called “All-American Bowl: Declaration Day” instead.

That annual game that featured future college and NFL greats like Odell Beckham, Jr., Reggie Bush, Ezekiel Elliott, Derrick Henry, Trevor Lawrence, Christian McCaffrey, Adrian Peterson, Tim Tebow and Joe Thomas, among others. The All-American Bowl, formerly known as the Army All-American Bowl, has been around for more than 20 years.

From the release: “All-American Bowl: Declaration Day” will include unique features and analysis, as well as college declarations by select players. The special will be hosted by NBC Sports’ Paul Burmeister, alongside analyst and former NFL quarterback Chris Simms, and reporter, former Notre Dame wide receiver and 2013 All-American Bowl alumnus Corey Robinson. Barton Simmons, director of scouting for 247Sports, will provide highlights and expert analysis throughout the two-hour special.”

What impact has that even had on Georgia football? The event usually served as one last strong networking and push from committed recruits in each class to the high-priority undecided targets prior to the traditional National Signing Day in February.

It was also a time for recent high-profile commitments such as Isaac Nauta, Kelee Ringo and Tyrique Stevenson, among others, to announce their public commitments to Georgia prior to enrolling early in January.

Here’s a listing of the recent Georgia Bulldogs that have played in the All-American Bowl or were named to the All-American Bowl before suiting up in Athens:

Current players:

• Adam Anderson
• Dominick Blaylock
• Tyson Campbell
• Ben Cleveland
• James Cook
• JT Daniels
• Trey Hill
• Netori Johnson
• Jalen Kimber
• Richard LeCounte III
• Nate McBride
• Azeez Ojulari
• Kendall Milton
• Tate Ratledge
• Demetris Robertson
• Julian Rochester
• Kelee Ringo
• Jamaree Salyer
• Tyrique Stevenson
• Nolan Smith
• Channing Tindall
• Xavier Truss
• Travon Walker
• Zamir White

Former players:

• CB Deandre Baker
• DB Tray Bishop
• PK Rodrigo Blankenship
• DE Lorenzo Carter
• RB Nick Chubb
• QB Jacob Eason
• TE Luke Ford
• QB Jake Fromm
• ATH Mecole Hardman, Jr.
• WR Jeremiah “JJ” Holloman
• ILB Tim Kimbrough
• ILB Jaleel Laguins
• P Marshall Long
• OT Cade Mays
• DB Rico McGraw
• RB Sony Michel
• TE Isaac Nauta
• QB Jacob Park
• DB Malkom Parrish
• ILB Natrez Patrick
• OL Dyson Sims
• RB D’Andre Swift
• OT Andrew Thomas
• DT Trenton Thompson
• OLB D’Andre Walker
• OL Isaiah Wynn
• PK Blair Walsh

Current 2021 recruits or targets named to the game:

• DB Terrion Arnold
• TE Brock Bowers (UGA commit)
• ILB Barrett Carter (Clemson commit)
• DT Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
• OL Dylan Fairchild (UGA commit)
• OLB Korey Foreman
• LB Smael Mondon, Jr.
• OL Micah Morris (UGA commit)
• LB Xavian Sorey, Jr.
• DT Maason Smith
• WR Dont’e Thornton
• QB Brock Vandagriff (UGA commit)
• LB Jeremiah Williams

I just wanna play football.. 🤦‍♂️ https://t.co/lmivuagLu8

— Brock Bowers (@brockbowers17) October 20, 2020

i was really looking forward to the All-American Bowl 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️💔💔💔 that was a DREAM

— TID𝟿3🤠 (@TINGDAWK90) October 20, 2020

🤦🏽‍♂️ this is so disappointing..

— DylanFairchild 𝟝𝟙 (@DylanFairchild6) October 20, 2020

“For more than 20 years, San Antonio has been the host of the All-American Bowl showcasing the
best high school football players in the country in a nationally televised game on NBC at the Alamodome,” said Ron Nirenberg, Mayor of San Antonio in the release. “Stars from Adrian Peterson to Trevor Lawrence and countless others have played in this annual game celebrating America’s top high school seniors on their way to college football. San Antonio will miss the All-American Bowl coming to San Antonio this January, but we all look forward to hosting and celebrating the 2022 All-American Bowl in our nation’s 7th largest city in January 2022.”

NBC will broadcast “All-American Dream,” a one-hour special showcasing the All-American Bowl history and highlighting the stories of several players from this year’s All-American Class, on Dec. 6. The cancellation affects the game, but also all of the 2021 All-American Bowl and related activities for the week. That also means the 2021 National Combine at the All-American Bowl, will be postponed and it will aim to be rescheduled in the spring.