The 83rd annual all-star game, which began in 1925, matches the top senior football players in the country. Proceeds from the game benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children.
Flacco, a senior quarterback from Audubon, N.J., is the third Delaware player to appear in the game in the last four seasons. Tight end Ben Patrick, now a member of the National Football League's Arizona Cardinals, played in the game last season and cornerback and kick returner Sidney Haugabrook played in 2005.
Flacco is among three quarterbacks on the East roster, joining Matt Flynn of national champion Louisiana State University and Anthony Morelli of Penn State. The East team, which will be coached by former NFL head coach Dick Vermeil, features just five players from NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision schools, including Flacco, fullback Jerome Felton of Furman, wide receivers Dexter Jackson of Appalachian State and Jerome Simpson of Coastal Carolina, and defensive lineman Kendall Langford of Hampton.
The West team, coached by former NFL and college head coach Mike White, features quarterbacks Josh Johnson of San Diego, Sam Keller of Nebraska and Kevin O'Connell of San Diego State and just three players from the FCS level.
Flacco enjoyed an outstanding senior season for the Hens, leading the team to an 11-4 record and a berth in national championship game, which the Hens lost to Appalachian State. He was named the Colonial Athletic Association co-offensive player of the year and third team All-American by the Sports Network.
He completed 331 of 521 passes for 4,263 yards and 23 touchdowns with just five interceptions during the 2007 season, as he ranked No. 6 in the nation in passing yardage per game (284.2), No. 10 in total offense per game (285.7) and No. 18 in passing efficiency (144.91).
A two-year starter after transferring from the University of Pittsburgh, Flacco posted a record of 16-10 as a starter and established 20 Delaware records, including season marks for completions, attempts, passing yards and total offense, and a career mark for completions. In 26 career games, he threw for more than 200 yards 21 times and for more than 300 yards 11 times, including a career-best 434 yards in a 59-52 win over Navy in October.
For more information on UD athletics, see [www.udel.edu/sportsinfo].
For more information on the East-West Shrine Game, see [www.shrinegame.com].
