Shaquille Armstrong, a graduate of the Midget Football League of Manitoba (St. James Rods 2006-2007), has been named to the 45-player World Select team that will play in the 2nd annual USA vs. The World Under-19 football competition in Austin, Texas, on February 2, 2011.
The game will be nationally televised live in the US on Fox College Sports Central as well as on seven regional cable networks. Among the outlets broadcasting the game on tape delay is NFL Network, which will air the game on Friday, Feb. 11, at 3:30 p.m. CT. In all, Team USA vs. The World will be available in more than 100 million households live or on tape delay.
Armstrong, currently with the Concordia University Stingers in Montreal, Quebec, will compete with his World Select teammates against USA Football's 2011 junior National team. Team USA includes players from 20 states, and every player on Team USA is expected to sign on February 2nd with a NCAA Division I team.
Armstrong is only the second Manitoba native to be selected to Team World in the event's two-year history, following in the footsteps of fellow Midget League graduateScott Janz (Fort Garry Lions, University of Western Ontario Mustangs). Janz, the MFLM's 2007 Most Valuable Player, made 4 tackles and a sack in a 17-0 defeat to Team USA on January 30, 2010 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Concordia University Athletics press release (01/24/11):
“It’s a big honor and acknowledgment of Shaq’s exceptional talent,” said Concordia head coach Gerry McGrath. “We are very pleased to have him in our program. He had an outstanding rookie year. With his size and quickness we expect all-Canadian type performances from him in the future.”
The six-foot-two, 285-pound Winnipeg native played in all nine of Concordia’s Quebec conference games, picking up nine solo tackles and two assists.
Armstrong played grassroots football with the St. James Rods and then suited up for the Winnipeg Rifles in 2008 and 2009. He is a graduate of the Manitoba Under-17 and Under-19 provincial team programs.
At Concordia, Armstrong is currently enrolled as a History major with a minor in Human Relations.
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