Rice football has sent several players to the East-West Shrine Game over the years. Jack Fox will be next Owl to participate in the postseason contest.
As a part of his preparation for the NFL Draft, punter Jack Fox will participate in the East-West Shrine Game. The game is scheduled to take place at Tropicana Field at 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 19. It will be televised on the NFL Network.
The NFL has noted there are more than 300 East-West Shrine Game alumni on NFL rosters each year. Playing at the next level is the goal for all of these players, a process which includes much more than Saturday’s exhibition.
During the week players will work with NFL coaches and personnel, their first chance to audition in front of pro teams. Fox’s squad will be coached by Minnesota Vikings linebackers coach Adam Zimmer with Vikings assistant Ryan Ficken coaching the special teams.
These will be some of the first touch points many of these players get with NFL representatives, and a week under their instruction will go way beyond the game itself. Fox has already put his best foot (literally) forward.
Owls in the East-West Shrine Game
Fox is the next in a rich tradition of Rice Owls who have participated in the East-West Shrine Game. He’s the ninth Rice player to participate in the past 25 editions of the game. So far, four of the eight previous participants have been selected in the NFL Draft. Fox hopes to make it five in April.
| Year | Game No. | Name | Pos | Draft |
| 1994 | No. 69 | Nathan Bennett | FS | Undrafted |
| 1997 | No. 72 | ND Kalu | DE | 5th, PHI |
| 2002 | No. 77 | Dan Dawson | LB | Undrafted |
| 2009 | No. 84 | Jarret Dillard | WR | 5th, JAX |
| 2011 | No. 86 | Cheta Ozougwu | DE | 7th, HOU |
| 2014 | No. 89 | Phillip Gaines | CB | 3rd, KC |
| 2015 | No. 90 | Bryce Callahan | CB | Undrafted |
| 2015 | No. 90 | Jordan Taylor | WR | Undrafted |
| 2019 | No. 94 | Jack Fox | P | TBD |
