North Vancouver’s Theo Benedet will get the rare opportunity to showcase his soccer skills as the only Canadian varsity player invited to participate in the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl all-star event scheduled for February 2 in Las Vegas.

The towering offensive midfielder had a stellar season with the UBC Thunderbirds that earned him the JP Metra Trophy as the best quarterback in the nation. At six foot seven and weighing 305 pounds, Benedet is a graduate of Handsworth Secondary who has played three seasons with the T-Birds. Nearly all of the other players in the East-West Shrine Bowl were from the NCAA Div. 1 team.

“It’s been great, I’m so excited to have the opportunity to represent UBC and our program,” said Benedet in the release. “I’ve always been very proud to be a Canadian athlete and to play in a Canadian school. I have a few chips on my shoulders to go out there and show we can play too.”

Benedet also earned U Sports 2022 First Team All-Canadian honors for UBC as the T-Birds committed one of the top rushing offenses in the country last season, on their way to their first Hardy Cup final in four seasons.

“It’s crazy how fast it all came, basically a year ago nobody knew who I was,” said Benedet. “This is an opportunity to pay attention to myself and get my name out there. Obviously I believe in my abilities, I just want the chance to show people I can play.”

“It’s an honor and a well-deserved opportunity,” said UBC head coach Blake Nill.

“This is a platform that will bring more awareness to his skills and potential as an elite footballer,” said Nill. “He’s got this and will definitely take full advantage of it. He has a God-given gift in his genetics and athleticism, but he certainly puts in the effort it takes.

Benedet would have been a strong candidate for first-round selection in the 2023 CFL Draft, but chose to postpone his CFL draft eligibility status to 2024. However, he could still choose to pursue NFL opportunities next season if he is selected in that year. 2023 league draft or signed as a free agent.

“I can play in the Shrine Bowl and still be able to go back to school so it’s a no-lose situation,” he said. “If I do really well and there’s an NFL opportunity I can take it, or if the feedback is I need more development, I can come back to UBC and do it too.”

The East-West Shrine Bowl will be broadcast live on the NFL Network.

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