 
Two Longhorns seniors to play in the East-West Shrine Game
Dec. 22, 2010
Texas Longhorns seniors OT Kyle Hix and TE Greg Smith have accepted an invitation to play in the 86th East-West Shrine Game at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. EST, and the game will be televised live on the NFL Network. The Longhorns have had a player represent the University of Texas in this annual all-star game every year since 1996. Past Longhorns participants include TE David Thomas (2006), DE Brian Robison (2007), LB Scott Derry (2008), DT Derek Lokey (2008), DT Frank Okam (2008), DT Roy Miller (2009) and CB Ryan Palmer (2009). Last year K Hunter Lawrence kicked a 47-yard field goal for West team. "I'm really excited because it is a great opportunity to finish off my career at Texas with a highlight," Smith said. "It's just exciting because it's a good closure to a great career at Texas. Texas is such a great place to play football just because of the history and the tradition and everything that goes along with being a Longhorns football player." Smith added, "It's just a great honor to play in this game where great players like David Thomas and others have played. I'm really blessed to have this opportunity, and I'm really excited to go out there and play and represent Texas."
Kyle Hix is a fourth-year offensive lineman who has played in 51 games with 39 starts (28 RT/11 LT). Hix started 11 games this year (he sat out the Oklahoma State game due to injury) and has helped UT average 443.7 yards per game and 40.4 points per game during his three seasons as a starter. He was a member of the 2010 Outland Trophy preseason watch list and started 14 games at right tackle and on special teams in 2009 when he was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection. Hix started all 13 games at right tackle and on special teams in 2008 and played in all 13 games, starting one, in 2007 at right tackle and on special teams. TE Greg Smith is a fifth-year player who has played tight end and all of the offensive line positions during his career. He has played in 52 career games, starting 15 and has 16 receptions for 106 yards and a TD for his career. Smith graduated with honors with a degree in kinesiology in May '10 and is a member of the college of education's honor society, Kappa Delta Pi. He is working towards a master's degree in kinesiology this fall and is a three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection. The East-West Shrine Game is the longest-running college all-star game and has seen 62 NFL Hall of Famers compete along with an elite list of football standouts such as John Elway and Tom Brady. There are 246 former East-West Shrine Game players on current NFL rosters. Both coaches in the 2011 game have ties to the state of Texas, and both are former head coaches in the NFL. Dan Reeves will coach the East squad and Wade Phillips will coach the West. "The East-West Shrine Game has always fielded players among college football's best," said East-West Shrine Game Executive Director Harold Richardson. "With all 32 NFL teams represented by GMs, coaches and scouts during game week, our players have the terrific opportunity to showcase their talents and get their first glimpse of life in the NFL..."Just Like on Sunday.'" While the teams are divided by East and West, the players come together for the beneficiary of the event, Shriners Hospitals for Children®, an international pediatric specialty health care system. For more information about the East-West Shrine Game, please visit www.shrinegame.com. |
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