The Tostitos brand, in a joint effort with the USO, today announced plans to field the first-ever Tostitos "Salute the Troops" Bowl, a one-of-a-kind college football experience that will bring the tastes and traditions of college football bowl games (and feature former Irish star Raghib Ismail) to active military serving in the Persian Gulf. The "Salute the Troops" Bowl will be held at an undisclosed military base in the Persian Gulf while other college bowl games take place back in the United States, and include an all-star flag football competition that puts teams of college football legends -- partnered with military service heroes -- in a truly unique gridiron match-up designed to celebrate the armed forces and provide a taste of home. Highlights from the event will be captured and shared in the U.S. at halftime during the nationwide broadcast of the 2010 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on FOX on Jan. 4, 2010. PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division has had a relationship with college football for decades, highlighted by its 15-year title sponsorship of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The event for the troops, which also will include a pre-game pep rally and tailgate party, will put legendary college football coaches Barry Switzer and Tommy Bowden at the helm of two unique teams composed of former college all stars and active military personnel for a one-of-a-kind football showdown. Football greats Rocket Ismail, Tommie Frazier, and Tony Casillas, among others, will participate in the on-field action.
The full roster of players includes: Tee Martin - During his junior year, led the 1998 University of Tennessee team to a perfect record of 13-0; Tommie Frazier - Led the Nebraska Cornhuskers in back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 1994 and 1995; Garrison Hearst - Standout running back for University of Georgia in the early 1990s; Ty Detmer - Legendary quarterback for Brigham Young University and winner of the Heisman Trophy in 1990; Rocket Ismail - Helped University of Notre Dame win the NCAA National Championship in 1988; Tony Casillas - Helped win the 1985 NCAA National Championship for the University of Oklahoma and a two-time All-American; Brian Bosworth - College standout linebacker at the University of Oklahoma in the mid-1980s and the winner of the first two Butkus Awards; Bruce Smith - Finished his college career at Virginia Tech in 1984 as one of the most honored players in Hokie history; Joe Washington - Two-time first-team All-American at University of Oklahoma in the mid-1970s.
The full roster of players includes: Tee Martin - During his junior year, led the 1998 University of Tennessee team to a perfect record of 13-0; Tommie Frazier - Led the Nebraska Cornhuskers in back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 1994 and 1995; Garrison Hearst - Standout running back for University of Georgia in the early 1990s; Ty Detmer - Legendary quarterback for Brigham Young University and winner of the Heisman Trophy in 1990; Rocket Ismail - Helped University of Notre Dame win the NCAA National Championship in 1988; Tony Casillas - Helped win the 1985 NCAA National Championship for the University of Oklahoma and a two-time All-American; Brian Bosworth - College standout linebacker at the University of Oklahoma in the mid-1980s and the winner of the first two Butkus Awards; Bruce Smith - Finished his college career at Virginia Tech in 1984 as one of the most honored players in Hokie history; Joe Washington - Two-time first-team All-American at University of Oklahoma in the mid-1970s.
