The East-West Shrine Bowl and Shriners Children’s Join the National Football Foundation as Official NFF Partners
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The East-West Shrine Bowl and Shriners Children’s Join the National Football Foundation as Official NFF Partners


Partnership highlights shared commitment to community impact and advancing the game of football while supporting life-changing pediatric care for children worldwide.

IRVING, Texas (Oct. 8, 2025) – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame today announced that the East-West Shrine Bowl® and Shriners Children’s have become an official partner of the NFF. The partnership unites two of the most storied organizations in football with one of the world’s most impactful pediatric healthcare systems, strengthening efforts to inspire communities and expand awareness of Shriners Children’s world-class medical services. First played in 1925, the East-West Shrine Bowl has featured more than 203 members of the NFF College Football Hall of Fame. NFF National Scholar-Athletes have also been well-represented with 87 all-time, including six Campbell Trophy recipients.

“This partnership is a terrific opportunity to bring together two blue-blood traditions in the sport of football,” said Steve Hatchell, NFF President & CEO. “Shriners Children’s has been changing lives for more than a century, and the East-West Shrine Bowl has produced countless NFL legends while showcasing the values of service, leadership, and excellence. We are honored to team up with them to amplify their mission and share their story with the college football community.”

The East-West Shrine Bowl, owned and operated by Shriners Children’s, is the nation’s oldest college all-star game, celebrating its 101st anniversary in 2026. Televised annually on NFL Network, the game showcases top college players while directly supporting Shriners Children’s mission. Players and coaches interact with Shriners Children’s patients throughout the week, forging lifelong connections that highlight the real meaning of the game.

“Football has long been at the heart of our outreach, and joining with the NFF extends that impact even further,” said Bob Roller, Vice President of Sports for Shriners Children’s. “Just as the East-West Shrine Bowl inspires athletes to reach their potential, Shriners Children’s inspires hope and healing for millions of children and families. Together with the NFF, we will celebrate the game we love while advancing the life-changing care we provide every day.”

Shriners Children’s is a world-renowned healthcare system committed to providing exceptional care and support to children with complex medical conditions. With locations across North America and outreach clinics held around the world, Shriners Children’s provides excellent care to children regardless of their family’s ability to pay or insurance status. Since 1922, Shriners Children’s has provided life-changing care to more than 2 million children. 

ABOUT THE EAST-WEST SHRINE BOWL®

The East-West Shrine Bowl is the nation’s oldest college all-star football game. Since 1925, the game has benefited Shriners Children’s and its mission to provide innovative pediatric specialty care to improve and transform the lives of children. The East-West Shrine Bowl is known for being the starting point of many noteworthy NFL careers, including nearly 80 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and more than 200 members of the College Football Hall of Fame. For more information, please visit shrinebowl.com.

ABOUT SHRINERS CHILDREN’S

Shriners Children’s is a leader in providing care for orthopedic conditions from routine injuries to complex conditions including scoliosis and other spine disorders, sports injuries and spinal cord injury rehabilitation; burn injuries; and cleft lip and palate. We also offer specialized services including orthotics and prosthetics and motion analysis. We strive to provide the care and support our patients need to reach their goals and discover their full potential. In addition, our healthcare system conducts research to improve our patients’ quality of life and offers outstanding educational programs for medical professionals. All care and services are provided regardless of the families’ ability to pay or insurance status. Shriners Children’s is a nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. For more information, including the full range of care disciplines, please visit shrinerschildrens.org.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE HALL OF FAME

Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing academic excellence, citizenship, and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters in 47 states, NFF programs include the criteria, selection and induction of members of the NFF College Football Hall of Fame; the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame museum in Atlanta; Future For Football; I Played; the William V. Campbell Trophy®; the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments; the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation & the NFF Hatchell Cup presented by Bob’s Steak & Chop House; and a series of programs and initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include CAA Executive Search, Catapult, Delta Air Lines, Elite Media Network, Fidelity Investments, Hampshire Companies, Jostens, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, and Shriners Hospitals for Children. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork and learn more at footballfoundation.org.

The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame

Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, Preparing the Future, and Protecting the Game Through Programs and Initiatives that Support

• 778 Colleges & Universities • Over 81,000 College Football Players

• 15,643 High Schools • Over 1.06 Million High School Football Players

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