Kistler Jr. to play in 89th annual East-West Shrine Game
12/19/2013 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 19, 2013
The University of Montana's Danny Kistler Jr. will get a chance to showcase his abilities, as he has been invited to play in the 89th Annual East-West Shrine Game, which is Saturday, Jan. 18 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Kick-off for the East-West Shrine Game is at 2:00 p.m. (Mountain); it is televised on the NFL Network.
The players invited hope to showcase their talents and skill in the East-West Shrine Game in front of the numerous NFL scouts who will be in attendance.
The game is the longest-running college all-star game in the country, and the first one was played in 1925. On average, more than 275 former East-West Shrine Game players are on NFL rosters.
"I am just really excited about the opportunity to put my talents on display and represent the University of Montana, but more importantly, my family and myself," Kistler said via a recent phone interview. "I can really start to realize by dream of getting to the NFL.
"I am excited to go against players who are at the top of their game at their respective universities and in their respective leagues," Kistler said. "I am really ready to go down there and learn from, and talk to the best coaches around, and be able to experience that and hopefully move forward to an NFL career."
Kistler, from Seattle, Wash., was recently named to the first team by the Associated Press and Walter Camp Foundation, and was chosen third team by the Sports Network.
This past season he was voted as Montana's outstanding offensive lineman for the second season in a row and presented the Paul Weskamp Award. He was a three-year starter at tackle and guard (two at tackle and one, his sophomore year at guard) for the Grizzlies.
He started all 13 games in 2013, and played in 48 career games, with 42 career starts (he had 27 starts in a row as a junior and senior).
Kistler was a first team All-Big Sky Conference selection for the second straight season following his senior campaign. He was the Grizzlies' offensive co-captain as a senior.
Some of the all-time greats from the college ranks who have played in the East-West Shrine Game are such notables as Dick Butkus, John Elway, Brett Favre, Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, and Roger Staubach, just to name a few. Members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame include 71 former East-West Shrine Game players.
The first Griz player to represent Montana in the storied all-star game was quarterback "Wild" Bill Kelly in 1926. Kelly, from Missoula, was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969, and he is the only UM player to receive that honor. The last Grizzly player to play in the East-West Shrine Game was offensive lineman Chase Raynock, who participated in 1999. (The complete list below).
Montana senior linebacker Jordan Tripp was also invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game, but opted out to participate in just one all-star game, the 65th Annual Senior Bowl, which is a week later on Jan. 25, in Mobile, Alabama.
This is the first time since 1927 that two UM players (Kelly and Russell Sweet) were invited to play in the prestigious contest in the same year.
Since 1925, the East-West Shrine Game has played an important role in raising awareness of the amazing work done by the Shriners Hospital for Children. The 20 health care facilities and one in both Mexico and Canada, provide advanced care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.
Montana's all-time East-West Shrine Game Selections:
Player, Pos.------------Year
"Wild" Bill Kelly, QB--1927
Russell Sweet, HB/K--1927
Tom Davis, FB, End--1928
Milt Popovich, RB/Ret.--1938
Eso Naranche, FB--1942
**Stan Renning, OG/LB--1958
Terry Dillon, HB/DB--1963
Brian Salonen, TE--1983
Scott Gragg, OT--1994
Chase Raynock, OL--1999
Danny Kistler Jr., OT--2014
**Unable to participate due to an injury
