Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Miami Dolphins center DWIGHT STEPHENSON will join former NFL All-Star MOSI TATUPU and Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman JONATHAN FANENE as honorary captains for USA Football's "Team USA vs. The World" game, presented by Riddell, at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, on Saturday, January 30 at 12 p.m. ET.
NFL Network will televise the game live when the world's top high school-aged players from around the globe follow AFC and NFC All-Star practices at Lockhart Stadium. Admission to the NFL All-Star practices and "Team USA vs. The World" is free of charge.
The 45 players who will represent the World against USA Football's Team USA arrived in South Florida on Sunday, arriving from destinations including Mexico City, Paris, Stockholm, Tokyo and Vancouver. They will hit the practice field at the Plantation Athletic league Stadium for two practices under the guise of Swedish head coach JAN JENMERT on Monday at 9am and 3pm.
"We have minimal time to prepare the best 45 American football players from around the world to try to win a game against Team USA, so we will need to be sharp and focused," said Jenmert. "The goal is to win and also enjoy what is a unique and unforgettable experience for everyone involved."
Before the game kicks off Lockhart Stadium on Saturday, Tatupu and Fanene, both American Samoan natives, will share honorary captain duties for the World team, which features three American Samoan players including Aiulua Fanene, Jonathan's younger brother.
Tatupu was the first American Samoan to play in a Pro Bowl (1986). The four-year Southern Cal. letter winner played 14 NFL seasons (1978-91) as a fullback for the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams and was part of the 1986 Patriots team that advanced to Super Bowl XX. Tatupu is the father of Seattle Seahawks standout linebacker LOFA TATUPU.
A veteran of five NFL seasons - all with Cincinnati - Fanene was born in Pago Pago, American Samoa. He played in all 16 games for the AFC North champion Bengals this season, registering a career-high 36 tackles, 6.0 sacks, and an interception which he returned 45 yards for a touchdown.
Stephenson is the honorary captain of USA Football's Junior National Team (Team USA). Considered among the finest centers in NFL history, the former Dolphin (1980-87) was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. Coached by legends PAUL "BEAR" BRYANT (Alabama) and DON SHULA (Miami Dolphins), Stephenson played in five Pro Bowls (1982-87) and helped the Dolphins advance to two Super Bowls (1982, '84 seasons). Stephenson and his wife, Dinah, founded The Dwight Stephenson Foundation in 2007, which generates funding for various charitable organizations including The Urban League of Broward County (Fla.).
Calling the action on January 30 for NFL Network's live 12 p.m. ET telecast will be RICH EISEN, DEION SANDERS, and SCOTT KENNEDY. Sideline reporter STACEY DALES will contribute on-field insight.