Spring Break
Local event raises money, pays respect
Pig Bowl pits officers and firefighters in gridiron battle
Chloe Daley
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: News
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"Pig," a derogatory name for law enforcement during the '70s, is now an acronym for pride, integrity, and guts. It's the title of the annual football game fundraiser, the "Pig Bowl."
On Saturday, police officers, firefighters and members of the community came together for the thirty-fourth annual Pig Bowl's Guns and Hoses football game to remember all those service men who died in the line of duty in 2007 and those who gave their lives throughout the decades.
The event, hosted by the Sacramento Police and Fire Department, is a charity event to sponsor and invest in local non-profit organizations. All the proceeds go to the respective charities.
The Pig Bowl has given over $1.5 million over the years to local charities. For 2007, the event donated over $55,000.
Players of the Sacramento Fire Department played the bagpipes on the Sacramento State Stadium field in commemoration of Vu D. Nguyen, a sheriff's detective who was shot in the line of duty on Dec. 19, 2007.
Nguyen, a graduate of Sac State, paid the ultimate price protecting the lives of the community. Also honored were detective Kent Haws and CHP officers John Paul Miller and Douglas Scott Russell.
Not only do the departments host the event, they are the players too. To get in shape for January's game, law enforcement officers and firefighters practice on cold mornings in December.
And for the first time in six years, the Dogs (firefighters) beat the Hogs (law enforcement) 9-6 on the football field.
Friends, co-workers, cheerleaders and even mascots showed up to be a part of the fiercely competitive game. And not everyone came for the same reasons.
"It is interesting to come out and see people play football who normally don't play," said Jody Johnson, government major at Sac State.
Everyone was rooting for their team, but some were neutral. Alex Lawrence of the Metro Fire Community Emergency Response Team said it was hard because he's had background with both departments.
"But it would be nice to see our fire guys win," he said.
Even the weather was favorable; the day before had plenty of rain and wind.
"It's going fantastic! We have great weather," game director Jim Cooper said during half time. Cooper said the really wonderful part was the charities that benefit from proceeds. They were the reason behind the event.
"(The game) is a tribute to the men who gave their lives and the winners are the charities and all the guys on the field no matter what happens," Sheriff John McGinness said.
The football game was not the only attraction. Dave Andrews, a country singer whose brother lost his life in the line of duty, sang "Boys in Blue" for the opening ceremony.
After his brother went down with the Sacramento County Sheriff's helicopter Star 6, Andrews gave up music, focusing on being with his family.
"What music is going to fit my life these days?" Andrews said.
But in 2007 he found the song "Boys in Blue," a song written about a cop who was killed in the line of duty. The song fit and Andrews knew he wanted to sing the song for the Guns and Hoses event.
Volunteers from the Sacramento Fire Department, Metro Fire Community Emergency Response Team, County Sheriff's Department, Sacramento Sheriff K9 Association and others came out to provide information and safety tips for the community.
Many attendees were pleased with the end results of the day. Many booths handed out pencils, stickers and safety information to children. And Sparky the fire dog was always ready for photo opportunities.
The turnout was good this year, said William R. Dugdale, who attended
to field injuries.
"The support is better (this year) than the last few years," he said. He said before professional sports, the Pig Bowl was one of the big social events for the community.
"It really builds camaraderie," said Fire Chief Ray Jones.
"Both (servicemen) come at it from different ways, but both protect the community," Jones said. And, yes, Jones admitted to being excited at the Dog's prospect of winning the event for the first time in six years.
Families and friends joined for tailgate parties after the trophy presentations of the event. The end of the evening provided time for the servicemen to see old friends and co-workers they don't often get to see because of schedules.
Some of the charities the Pig Bowl has donated money to in the past include: Volunteers in Victim Assistance, WIND Youth Services, Sheriff's Toy Project and scholarships for schools and universities.
Chloe Daley can be reached at cdaley@statehornet.com
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