Sports

NFL To Host Community Events Across Las Vegas Throughout 2023 Pro Bowl Games Week

Published

4 years ago

January 24, 2023

NEW YORK, NY – The 2023 Pro Bowl Games presented by Verizon will bring together the league’s best talent not only to showcase their skills on the field, but also to highlight their philanthropic efforts by giving players the opportunity to give back and engage with youth throughout the week. Multiple events will take place across Southern Nevada and in the city of Henderson, with a focus on giving back to local Boys & Girls Clubs (BAGC) of Southern Nevada while engaging their members and various youth football initiatives in fun, football-themed activities. The league has partnered with BAGC to support key initiatives including the growth of flag football and most recently, their social justice programming through an Inspire Change grant.

The Pro Bowl Games will have cumulative scoring starting with skills competitions on Thursday, February 2, leading up to the first-ever AFC vs NFC Flag football games on Sunday, February 5. Scoring works in the following way:

The winning conference of each skill competition earns three points towards their team’s overall score, with 24 total points available across the eight skills events.
The winning conference from each of the first two Flag football games on Sunday will earn six points for their team, for a total of 12 available points.
Points from the skills competitions and first two Flag games will be added together and will be the score at the beginning of the third and final Flag game, which will determine the winning conference for The Pro Bowl Games.

At the end of The Pro Bowl Games, the conference with the most points will be crowned the winner, and each player on the winning team will secure a donation to a local Boys & Girls Club in their hometown or NFL team market. All donations will be made by the NFL Foundation on behalf of the players of the winning team. As a result of the NFL’s Pro Bowl Games support of Boys & Girls Clubs of America during The Pro Bowl Games, the NFL Foundation will donate more than $300,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.

In addition to showcasing the NFL’s top players and their give-back efforts at The Pro Bowl Games, the league will highlight youth and high school football participants and coaches, while integrating current players and Legends in program activations throughout the week.

Community celebrations for The Pro Bowl Games will kick off on Tuesday, January 31st with the NFL GREEN CITY OF HENDERSON GREENING PROJECT AND THE PRO BOWL GAMES PRESS CONFERENCE. The NFL together with the City of Henderson, the Las Vegas Raiders and Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada, will plant trees, remove turf and spread deconstructed granite for a xeriscape/low water use project. On Wednesday, volunteers and Clark County Parks will take part in a ceremony and tree planting project at The Nature Play Corner. The week’s community events will conclude on Friday with a PRO BOWL LEGACY event at Donald W. Reynold Boys & Girls Club where Pro Bowl players and NFL Legends will volunteer alongside local youth from Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada to refurbish the club.

A rundown of the Pro Bowl Games community events is below.

THE PRO BOWL GAMES PRESENTED BY VERIZON LEGACY PRESS CONFERENCE AND GREENING PROJECT

The NFL will start The Pro Bowl Games celebrations on Tuesday, January 31st at Acacia Demonstration Park with an NFL Green Kickoff press conference presented by Version at Henderson Boys & Girls Club beginning at 3:00 PM with volunteer check-in. Speakers will take part in a media moment at 3:30 PM followed by the event which will consist of volunteers planting large trees and painting fences.

NFL GREEN NATURE PLAY CORNER PRO BOWL GREENING EVENT

On Wednesday, February 1st, NFL Green initiatives will join Clark County Parks, local students and community volunteers to plant trees, grasses and pollinator attracting plants at the Clark County Wetlands Park’s new Nature Play Corner. The Nature Play Corner is a one-acre site that invites kids to create and explore nature using their imagination and prompts from interpretive signage.

Volunteers will check in at 9:00 AM and the event will open with a ceremonial tree planting at Nature Play Corner, Clark County Wetlands Park followed by a media moment at 9:30 AM. Additionally, in celebration of World Wetlands Day, volunteers will be planting large trees to expand shade and plant grasses and pollinator plants to attract wildlife.

PLAY FOOTBALL OPENING NIGHT

Play Football Opening Night is a youth- and high school-focused media event for all NFL Flag Championship teams on Thursday, February 2 from 3:30-5:30 PM PT at Allegiant Stadium. Over 2,100 players will have the opportunity to mix and mingle before the competition kicks off on Friday and Saturday. Participants will interact with NFL players – current and Legends.
PRO BOWL LEGACY EVENT

In partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada, the NFL family will partake in hands-on volunteering by hosting a community event to refurbish various elements of the Donald W. Reynold Boys & Girls Club on Friday, February 3rd from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.

Local youth from Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada will be invited to attend and participate in activities alongside Pro Bowl Players and NFL Legends. Activities will be focused on refurbishing indoor and outdoor areas of Donald W. Reynolds Boys & Girls Club so that members have safe spaces to play. Specifically, the NFL provided a grant to fund the refurbishment of the club’s gym, revitalization of an outdoor garden, a full art room upgrade, and an outdoor mural. Members in attendance will also have the opportunity to participate in an NFL PLAY 60 clinic led by USA Football coaches.

As an extension of these activities, NFL partner, Little Caesars, has provided the Donald W. Reynolds Boys & Girls Club with additional funding to support the above projects. Additionally, Little Caesars Love Kitchen will be on-site at the event to serve pizza to the kids, volunteers and other event guests.

NFL FLAG CHAMPIONSHIPS TOURNAMENT

The NFL will host the largest to-date NFL FLAG Championship tournament at The 2023 Pro Bowl Games with 200 teams and over 2,100 players. Eight different countries will be represented, including Australia, Canada, China, Ghana, Germany, Japan, Mexico and New Zealand. Participants will range from the ages of 8–17-year-old boys and girls. The two-day event will consist of pool play and a single elimination tournament. The games will start on Friday, February 3rd at Heritage Park and will conclude with Championship game play on Sunday, February 5th.

AYF MIDDLE SCHOOL ALL-STAR GAME

On Saturday, February 4th, AYFs top middle school football players, will compete in an All-Star Football game to celebrate their matriculation. The game will be played at Green Valley High School.

NFL FLAG CHAMPIONSHIPS

NFL FLAG Championships will be held at The Pro Bowl Games for the third consecutive year as part of the week-long celebration of football across all levels. 14U Boys & 17U Girls Championship games will compete during pre-game of The 2023 Pro Bowl Game on Sunday, February 5th at Allegiant Stadium. The 17U Girls Championship game will be televised on ESPN beginning at 10:00 am local time.

DON SHULA HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year award honors an exemplary football coach at the high school level who displays the integrity, achievement, and leadership demonstrated by Coach Shula. Coaches are nominated for the national award by all 32 NFL teams, and the winner is selected by a panel of judges including Tony Dungy, Peyton Manning, Scott Pioli, and more. The two winners will be invited to the Pro Bowl Games with on-field access on Sunday, February 5th, and will be recognized throughout the week.

ADDITIONAL INVOLVEMENT OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA

Pro Bowl players and members of Boys & Girls Clubs will have the opportunity to engage in various initiatives throughout the week, including:

Boys & Girls Clubs Skills Toolkit: Boys & Girls Clubs across the country will receive a toolkit that outlines skills challenges that mirror the skills the players will be partaking in. The goal is for BAGC youth to perform the challenges at their own clubs so they can help build excitement around the games while feeling like a part of them from afar.
The Pro Bowl Games Skills Competitions: On Thursday, February 2nd, members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada will be invited to watch the NFL’s best players compete in several Pro Bowl skills competitions, which will be filmed live for the first time.
The Pro Bowl Games: More than 400 members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada will be invited to attend game day on Sunday, February 5th, to watch their favorite players compete in competitions, the first-ever AFC vs NFC Flag football games and a major musical performance.

Related Topics:Las Vegas Pro Bowl NFL Pro Bowl

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Central Florida News

Wake Forest All-American Macy Pate Earns Sponsor Invitation to 2026 ANNIKA LPGA Event

Published

4 days ago

September 15, 2026

FNN SPORTS

Wake Forest senior Macy Pate will make her LPGA Tour debut Nov. 9-15 at Pelican Golf Club after the Demon Deacons captured their fourth ANNIKA Intercollegiate team title.

BELLEAIR, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Wake Forest senior All-American Macy Pate will make her LPGA Tour competition debut this November after receiving a sponsor invitation to The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.

Pate will compete against an LPGA Tour field Nov. 9-15 at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, following Wake Forest’s victory at the 2026 ANNIKA Intercollegiate presented by 3M.

The Demon Deacons won the collegiate tournament by 10 strokes, securing their first team victory of the 2026-27 season and fourth ANNIKA Intercollegiate championship.

As part of the victory, Wake Forest received the opportunity to select one player for a sponsor invitation into The ANNIKA. Head coach Kim Lewellen selected Pate after a unanimous vote by the team and coaches.

Pate tied for fifth at the collegiate event, finishing at 2-under par.

Pate Set for First LPGA Tour Start

“We are excited for the opportunity for Macy to play her first LPGA Tour event at The ANNIKA in November,” Lewellen said. “It was unanimous that Macy would take this honor. She has been a wonderful representative for Wake Forest golf and athletics.”

Tournament host and World Golf and LPGA Hall of Fame member Annika Sörenstam also welcomed Pate to the field.

“We are very excited to have Macy compete at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican,” Sörenstam said. “She is a leader at Wake Forest and one of the top-ranked college players in the country.”

Sörenstam added that seeing Pate make her LPGA Tour debut at The ANNIKA would make the opportunity particularly special.

Decorated Career at Wake Forest

Pate enters her fourth year at Wake Forest as a preseason All-American.

She earned her first collegiate victory during her junior season at the Jackson T. Stephens Cup and finished the season ranked No. 21 in the NCAA Scoreboard/Clippd Women’s Golf Rankings.

Pate is also a two-time Augusta National Women’s Amateur participant and three-time All-ACC selection.

Her success began well before college. Pate was named Carolinas Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022 and holds the North Carolina high school record for lowest round with a 57.

“I’m so incredibly excited for this opportunity,” Pate said. “Annika is one of my idols, and it has been my dream to compete on the LPGA Tour.”

The ANNIKA Returns to Tampa Bay

The ANNIKA is scheduled for Nov. 9-15 at Pelican Golf Club and will serve as the penultimate tournament on the 2026 LPGA Tour schedule.

The tournament will feature a $3.25 million purse, one of the largest on the LPGA Tour outside the major championships. Tournament proceeds benefit the ANNIKA Foundation.

Pate continues a recent tradition of collegiate players earning sponsor invitations through the ANNIKA Intercollegiate. South Carolina’s Louise Rydqvist received invitations in 2023 and 2024, followed by Wake Forest’s Anne-Sterre den Dunnen in 2025.

Championship Pedigree at Pelican

The tournament has attracted some of women’s golf’s biggest names.

Linn Grant captured the 2025 title at 19-under par, winning by three strokes. Nelly Korda is a three-time tournament champion, winning in 2021, 2022 and 2024.

Lilia Vu won in 2023, while Sei Young Kim captured the inaugural tournament in 2020.

Pate will now have an opportunity to test her game on the same stage as the world’s leading professional golfers — and do so for the first time at a tournament hosted by one of her idols.

For tournament and ticket information, visit The ANNIKA official website.

Central Florida News

Mario Andretti Headlines First 15 Drivers Named to Sebring’s Historic ‘Class of 75’

Published

4 days ago

September 15, 2026

FNN SPORTS

Mario Andretti prepares for the 1970 Twelve Hours of Sebring, where he helped deliver Ferrari an overall victory in one of the most memorable finishes in the endurance race’s history. Photo: Rainer Schlegelmilch

Sebring International Raceway begins honoring 75 of the event’s most successful drivers ahead of the historic 75th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 20, 2027

SEBRING, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Racing legend Mario Andretti headlines the first group of drivers selected for Sebring International Raceway’s “Class of 75,” recognizing 75 of the most successful drivers in the history of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

The recognition comes ahead of the 75th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 20, 2027.

A 10-person panel of sports car racing experts debated and voted on the 75 drivers. The selections have been divided into five groups of 15, with additional names scheduled to be announced monthly through January.

The first Twelve Hours of Sebring was held March 15, 1952. Since then, the endurance race has been canceled only once, in 1974 amid the global energy crisis.

First 15 Drivers Named to ‘Class of 75’

The inaugural group includes Bob Akin, Mario Andretti, Joao Barbosa, Geoff Brabham, Derek Daly, Phil Hill, Bruce Jennings, Sascha Maassen, John Morton, Jim Pace, Hans Stuck, Nick Tandy, Richard Thompson, Fermin Velez and Andy Wallace.

Together, the drivers represent generations of Sebring history, from the race’s formative years to the modern IMSA era.

Andretti’s Place in Sebring History

Andretti made six starts at Sebring, earning three overall victories and one additional class win.

His overall victories came in 1967, 1970 and 1972. His 1970 triumph remains one of the race’s most celebrated finishes.

Andretti started that race from the pole in Ferrari’s No. 19 entry but retired the car with gearbox problems. Ferrari later moved him into the No. 21 Ferrari 512S for the closing stages.

Andretti ultimately defeated Peter Revson by 23.8 seconds, which at the time represented the closest finish in Sebring history.

Champions Across Generations

The Class of 75 also includes Phil Hill, a three-time overall Sebring winner who competed 13 times between 1953 and 1966. Hill won overall in 1958, 1959 and 1961 and added three class victories.

Hans Stuck also earned three overall victories, beginning with BMW’s landmark 1975 win. He returned to Victory Lane with Porsche in 1986 and 1988 and added two class victories during his Sebring career.

Geoff Brabham won overall in 1989 and 1991 during Nissan’s GTP era, while Derek Daly recorded two victories in three Sebring starts.

Fermin Velez captured consecutive overall victories in 1995 and 1996 driving a Ferrari 333SP, while Andy Wallace won back-to-back overall titles in 1992 and 1993 in the Toyota Eagle Mk III.

Tandy Represents Sebring’s Modern Era

Among the modern-era selections is Nick Tandy, who has accumulated one overall victory, three class wins and five podium finishes in 12 Sebring starts.

After class victories with Porsche in 2018, 2019 and 2020, Tandy joined Porsche Penske Motorsport’s prototype program.

His long-awaited overall Sebring victory came in 2025, when he teamed with Felipe Nasr and Laurens Vanthoor in a Porsche 963. The trio defeated the sister Penske entry by just 2.2 seconds.

Privateers and Sebring Mainstays Recognized

The selections extend beyond overall winners.

Bruce Jennings made 18 Sebring appearances and became one of the event’s notable privateer competitors. His 1962 debut produced a class victory and third-place overall finish.

Richard Thompson, known as the “Flying Dentist,” competed in the inaugural 1952 race. Thompson reportedly drove his MG-TD from Washington to Sebring, finished eighth and then drove the car home. He ultimately made 14 Sebring starts and earned two class victories.

Sascha Maassen recorded five Sebring victories, including four consecutive class wins from 2001 through 2004 with Alex Job Racing.

The group also recognizes the achievements of Bob Akin, Joao Barbosa, John Morton and Jim Pace, each of whom earned overall Sebring victories during their careers.

Four More Groups Coming

Sebring will unveil the remaining 60 members of its Class of 75 in four installments.

The next 15 drivers will be announced Oct. 13, followed by additional groups on Nov. 10, Dec. 15 and Jan. 12.

The complete list will ultimately recognize 75 drivers representing the history of America’s oldest major endurance race.

75th Twelve Hours of Sebring Tickets

Tickets, hospitality packages, car corral parking and reserved RV locations are currently in a renewal period through Sept. 16.

General admission tickets and parking passes are scheduled to go on sale Oct. 1. Highlands County resident tickets will also become available Oct. 1 with proof of residency and must be purchased in person at the raceway ticket office.

Fans can find ticket information and join waiting lists for hospitality, car corrals and trackside RV parking through Sebring International Raceway.

The 75th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring is scheduled for March 20, 2027.

Central Florida News

USF Rallies Past Army 28-24 as Brian Hartline’s Fourth-Down Gamble Pays Off

Published

6 days ago

September 13, 2026

NISEY SPRUILL

USF head football coach Brian Hartline wearing sunglasses and a headset on the sideline during the 2026 USF Spring Game in Tampa, Florida. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

USF head football coach Brian Hartline watches the action during the Bulls’ 2026 Spring Game at Corbett Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The game marked the conclusion of Hartline’s first spring leading South Florida. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

Van Buren accounts for all four USF touchdowns as Joshua Porter’s 38-yard fourth-down catch completes a dramatic comeback at West Point.

WEST POINT, N.Y. (FNN SPORTS) — South Florida coach Brian Hartline put the game in his offense’s hands Saturday — and the gamble paid off.

USF erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and stunned Army 28-24 at Michie Stadium, capped by Michael Van Buren Jr.’s 38-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Porter on fourth-and-6 with 19 seconds remaining.

The dramatic road victory moved the Bulls to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in American Conference play, giving Hartline his first conference victory and first road win as USF’s head coach.

Van Buren Powers Fourth-Quarter Comeback

Trailing 24-14 with less than five minutes remaining, USF needed two touchdowns — and Van Buren delivered.

The quarterback led a 75-yard scoring drive and broke free for a 24-yard touchdown run, cutting Army’s lead to 24-21 with 3:13 remaining.

USF attempted an onside kick, but Army recovered. The Bulls’ defense responded by forcing the Black Knights to punt, giving Van Buren and the offense one final opportunity.

Starting at its own 19-yard line with 1:46 remaining, South Florida drove into Army territory and reached the Black Knights’ 38.

Then came Hartline’s defining decision.

FILE – USF head football coach Brian Hartline watches the action during the Bulls’ 2026 Spring Game at Corbett Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The game marked the conclusion of Hartline’s first spring leading South Florida. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

Hartline Rolls the Dice on Fourth Down

Facing fourth-and-6 from the Army 38, USF was within the outer limits of kicker Nico Gramatica’s range for a potential 55-yard game-tying field goal.

Hartline initially kept the offense on the field and used USF’s final timeout with 25 seconds remaining.

After the timeout, the Bulls still did not send out the field-goal unit.

Hartline went for the win.

Van Buren took the snap and found Porter streaking down the right sideline for a 38-yard touchdown, putting USF ahead 28-24 with 19 seconds remaining.

Army got one final possession, but the Black Knights’ attempt to keep the play alive ended with a fumble recovered by USF’s Herlin Perry Jr., sealing the comeback.

Van Buren Accounts for All Four USF Touchdowns

Van Buren finished 19-of-30 passing for 239 yards and two touchdowns while adding a team-high 45 rushing yards and two more scores on five carries.

He accounted for all four USF touchdowns and produced 284 yards of total offense without committing a turnover.

Porter emerged as the late-game target USF needed, including the decisive fourth-down touchdown reception.

Bulls Show a Different Way to Win

USF opened Hartline’s first season with a 19-9 victory over FIU, a game in which kicker Nico Gramatica connected on four field goals.

One week later, the Bulls showed they could win differently.

Army controlled possession for much of Saturday’s game and outrushed USF 219-130, but South Florida scored 14 unanswered points over the final 4:59 to turn a 24-14 deficit into a four-point victory.

The Bulls are now 2-0 for the second consecutive season, but this start carries added significance under a new coaching staff. Hartline already has his first road victory, his first American Conference win and an early signature moment as USF’s head coach.

When faced with the choice of attempting a long field goal to tie the game or trusting his offense to win it, Hartline chose the latter.

Van Buren and Porter rewarded that decision with the biggest play of USF’s young season.

Up Next

USF returns home to face Delaware State on Saturday at Raymond James Stadium.

______________________________________

– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com