DALLAS, Tx. (ABC 4 Sports) - The Armed Forces Bowl is special and unique for a number of reasons. First, there's the military involvement. And second, you've got the trophy. So what makes it so special? How about the fact that the elements in the trophy literally come from the battlefield in Iraq.
"There's no other trophy out there like it," said Brant Ringler, Executive Director of the Armed Forces Bowl. "We always say we're 'More Than a Bowl Game'. This is more than a trophy."
An Army tank shell from Fort Hood is just one of the things melted into the trophy.
"We took a Bell helicopter, took a piece off of that helicopter, melted it down into the trophy as well, shined it in the front," Ringler said. "So this is a very unique trophy, no doubt about it. I think it adds a special meaning to our game and definitely something teams should be proud of to put in their display case."
It weighs close to 60 pounds. Pretty cool, right?
"That's really cool," BYU senior offensive lineman Matt Reynolds said. "That definitely added to the desire to be able to hoist that trophy up."
"I think we can just ask one of our defensive linemen to pick that up so I think we'll be alright," added senior linebacker Jameson Frazier.
With or without the trophy, for the Cougars it's a privilege just to be playing in a bowl game that honors the men and women who fight for our freedom.
"My little brother is fortunately back home right now from Bahrain, he's in the Navy," said Frazier. "So, I've got those ties and it would mean a lot to be able to pull this one out for them."
"Anytime we have a chance to honor those who serve our country it's a big deal to me," Reynolds added.
Because without our military, there wouldn't be a game.
To see how the AFB trophy was made, click
HERE.
