TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Event Bowls Over Celebrities, Amateurs

ADVERTISEMENT

By KEITH MORELLI

kmorelli@tampatrib.com

Published: January 30, 2009

TAMPA - It doesn't matter if you're a 6-foot-5, 300-pound nose tackle for the Chicago Bears or a 5-foot-4 shelf stocker at Publix. On the hardwood lanes, the playing field is level.

And there is something about those fluorescent lime-green-and-pink shoes that makes everyone equal.
Former NFL players paired up with regular folk Thursday night at the Pin Chasers bowling alley on West Hillsborough Avenue for the Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic.

The tourney has been going on for three years, said organizer Nick Nicolosi. About 45 former pro football players, including 26 who are in the Hall of Fame, registered to bowl, he said, and about 20 were on hand mingling with the masses.
Amateur bowlers paid $300 each, or $1,000 for a four-member team, to participate in the event, which was free for spectators.

The proceeds, expected to be about $150,000, will benefit the two NFL Youth Education Town facilities in Hillsborough County. The centers offer education and mentoring services for at-risk youngsters.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers star and NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann was spokesman for the event for the second consecutive year.

"I like to bowl," he said. "I don't bowl a lot, especially after having hip surgery around Thanksgiving."

He signed a photograph of him and Lynda Barnes, a professional bowler.

"How many perfect games have you bowled?" he asked her.

"Eighteen," she replied.

Swann just shook his head.

Out on the lanes, Bob Krouse of Land O' Lakes wore a Swann Pittsburgh Steelers jersey.

"I'm OK," he said of his bowling skills. "I met my wife bowling."

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT