Regardless of whether William and Mary wins or loses against Richmond this weekend, senior receiver Tre McBride’s football’s career will extend at least one more game.
The star playmaker, leading the team in catches with 56 on the season, received an invitation to the East-West Shrine Game. The game is set for Jan. 15 in St. Petersburg, Florida at Tropicana Field.
McBride, who currently stands among the College’s best receivers with career receptions (No. 3, 188), receiving yards (No. 5, 2519) and touchdown receptions (No. 6, 19), is only the second player in program history to be invited to the game.
The other Tribe player to attend was tight end Drew Atchinson ’08, who was later signed by the National Football League Dallas Cowboys. While Atchinson only played a few years before his professional career ended, this is certainly not the case for all players invited to the game. Brett Farve, Tom Brady, and John Elway all participated in the Shrine Game, which typically features as many as 300 NFL scouts. At any given time, there are around 250 East-West Shrine Game alumni on NFL rosters.
The Game was established in 1925 to benefit Shriners Hospital for Children, a tradition it has continued to this day.
McBride earned All-American distinction in 2013, and was also named the 2013 Colonial Athletic Association Special Teams Player of the Year. McBride also stands among the College’s best in special teams performance — 6th in all-purpose yards and 6th in kickoff returns.
McBride will likely draw the scouts’ attention for more than his receiving ability. McBride has four receiving touchdowns thus far in the 2014 season, though he hasn’t added any points on special teams.