Westerville, Ohio— An offensive lineman from the Westerville South High School football team was selected to play in the Semper Fidelis All American Bowl on Jan. 4, 2015.
Robert Dowdy was presented a hat, jersey and shirt by the Marine Corps for his outstanding athleticism, leadership on and off the field and academics before the start of the rivalry game against Westerville North High School.
Dowdy, at 6-foot-5 and 296 pounds, is the ranked the no. 12 guard in the nation according to Rivals. Dowdy is the captain of the football team and part of the Young Men of Life mentoring program. He is currently committed to playing football at the University of Pittsburgh.
“It means a lot to be a part of this,” said Dowdy. “Being presented with the jersey with my family here with me and being able to represent my community and school. It means a lot to me and them.”
Dowdy is playing under first-year head coach Tim Bates.
“You couldn’t ask for a better player,” said Bates. “He is an example for all of our guys. He not only works hard on the football field but he works hard off the field also – in the classroom and in the community. A lot of the people compare him to Ki-Jana Carter, the number one overall pick in the 1995 National Football League draft. He has the same work ethic and love for the game.”
The Semper Fidelis Bowl is an annual football game hosted by the Marine Corps that involves approximately 90 high school student athletes who are chosen based on their athletic and scholastic achievements as well as their own personal character. Based on geographic region, East Coast and West Coast teams will compete at the bowl, which will be held in Carson, California, Jan. 4, 2015.
“I am excited to learn from the Marines,” said Dowdy. “Getting to learn from them will help me better myself and make me an even better person.”