Memphis Blast Announces Plans For Bigger 2003 Bar-B-Que Bowl

Blast Entertainment president and team owner Charles Thompson has announced plans to turn this year’s event into a day-long affair with three games planned…

New York, NY, January 9,2003 — The North American Football League’s Memphis Blast have begun preparations to host the 2003 Bar-B-Que Bowl May 17, the day of the annual Memphis In May World Championship Barbeque Cooking Contest…

In last year’s inaugural game, held at E.H. Crump Stadium, the Blast defeated the Dallas Diesel, 26-7, behind a 315-yard, four touchdown passing performance from quarterback Cedric Granger.

Blast Entertainment president and team owner Charles Thompson has announced plans to turn this year’s event into a day-long affair with three games planned — at noon, 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. — with each game offering a championship trophy to the winners as well as individual player honors, including Most Valuable Player honors.

Thompson is also securing the authority to have the Bar-B-Que Bowl be sanctioned as an officially-sponsored activity of the annual month-long Memphis In May International Festival.

The Blast and Diesel have already committed to participating in the 2003 event, as have the Charm City Jaguars, a minor league team from Maryland.

Memphis is currently working out arrangements to hold games at either Christian Brothers High School, Rhodes College, or Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, home to the University of Memphis Tigers and the annual AXA Liberty Bowl game.

Other activities being discussed for this year’s event are a combined team banquet and fashion show, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, barbeque cooking contests, and a halftime concert with a potential major act.

The Blast are still looking for teams who are interested in participating in the 2003 Bar-B-Que Bowl. For more information on competing in the 2003 event, contact Charles Thompson by phone at 690-3743 or by e-mail at blast669@hotmail.com.
This is an official press release of the North American Football League. For more information about this press release or the North American Football League please go to our web site at www.nafl.org or send an email to pressroom@nafl.org.