By Kathy Chouteau
When the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl East vs. West football game gets underway at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium Dec. 12, El Cerrito High School varsity running back Tony McAdoo will be on the Western roster.
McAdoo, a 17-year-old El Cerrito High School senior whose favorite subject is science, was nominated for the honor by Rodney Alamo Brown of Soulful Softball Sunday—who also is a PA announcer for the bowl game—based on a recommendation from Richmond Steelers’ football coach Michael Van Hook.
A former Richmond Steeler youth football team member, the now-El Cerrito gaucho was suggested by his onetime coach due to his positive attitude on-and-off the field, his grades and for being an overall “ultimate competitor,” said Alamo Brown. He said Soulful Softball Sunday is sponsoring McAdoo’s bowl trip with additional help from community donations.
“It’s all about your time and effort—no matter what, reach the goals you set out for yourself even when others doubt you.”
“It’s a real honor,” said Alamo Brown about McAdoo’s selection for the bowl game. “This makes him an All-American.”
He said that the El Cerrito footballer will play three positions for the Western team: running back, slot back and special teams—i.e., kickoff and punt return. And while McAdoo currently doesn’t have an offer for a football scholarship, “There will be scouts at the game,” per Alamo Brown.
As of this writing the El Cerrito High Varsity Boys Football team is 10-0 and they are currently first in the standings in the Tri-County—Rock League.
“The plan is to line up McAdoo all over the field and let him do his thing, he’ll be a weapon for our staff,” said NFL veteran and All-American Bowl Coach Seneca Wallace. “In a game like this, with the platform being an NFL facility with former professionals as assistants and mentors, he’ll have a chance to shine on one of the biggest stages around.”
For his part, the El Cerrito senior is feeling pretty grateful to be heading to Dallas in December. “I feel this is a great opportunity; I know not a lot of people like me get opportunities like this—it’s just very amazing and I’m truly blessed…,” McAdoo told the Standard. He expressed gratitude to his mother, Danquell, and Coach Jacob Rincon, emphasizing that “All this wouldn’t be possible without them. They’ve always pushed me to do better and be better [and I] just wanna thank them for everything.”
McAdoo said that growing up in a San Francisco 49ers household, he’s always dreamed of having the opportunity to play in a pro football stadium such as the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium. He said his long game is to someday “make it to the NFL and also major in sports medicine during the process.”
And what advice does McAdoo the All-American have for kids who might want to follow in his footsteps? “Make sure if you want something, you work for it [and] never give up,” he said. “It’s all about your time and effort—no matter what, reach the goals you set out for yourself even when others doubt you.” He added, “Also remember, you are a student first!”
“With everything we’ve seen from the young man on film and the interactions off the field, the intel leads us to believe that the future is bright for Tony,” said Sean Ceglinsky with Blue-Grey Football Operations about McAdoo. See some of McAdoo’s highlights here.
Catch McAdoo and other promising young football players in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl East vs. West football game Mon., Dec. 12 at 12 p.m. CST/10 a.m. PT.
Blue-Grey Football “kicked off” in 1989 by founders Gus and Erik Bell with the aim of helping prospects gain national exposure so that they can improve their chances to secure college scholarships. Some of the nation’s most talented young football players compete in the annual game, with Fox Sports, CBS Sports and USA Today regularly providing coverage, as well as ESPN.com, Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com. Learn more here.
