Duo Reunites at the East West Shrine Bowl to Celebrate an Iconic Logo
ARLINGTON, Texas – The East West Shrine Bowl is not just a showcase for college football talent; it carries a rich history, symbolized by its logo featuring a football player and a young girl. After more than fifty years, those two individuals whose likeness inspired this emblem came together once again at AT&T Stadium for the game.
The Essence of the East West Shrine Bowl
Founded over a century ago, the East West Shrine Bowl is a post-season all-star college football game sponsored by Shriners International. The event serves not only to entertain sports enthusiasts but also to support charitable initiatives, with proceeds benefitting the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Understanding the Logo’s Significance
In 1974, a defining moment occurred featuring Mike Esposito, then a 22-year-old player from Boston College, and Nicole Urteaga, a two-year-old patient at a Shriners Hospital. During a media event, the young Urteaga, feeling overwhelmed and frightened, caught Esposito’s eye. He instinctively comforted her, lifting her out of a moment of distress, and a poignant photograph was born from that interaction.
This image grew in popularity, ultimately becoming a symbol synonymous with the East West Shrine Bowl. “When I first saw it a couple of years later, I called my wife and said, ‘Look at this,’” recalled Esposito, reflecting on the powerful connection the photo had made with the public.
A Reunion After Decades
Decades later, Esposito and Urteaga marveled at their serendipitous reunion during the 100th anniversary of the East West Shrine Bowl. They expressed a feeling of divine timing that brought them back together, sharing a bond developed from that single, impactful moment in 1974.
“It was just all God’s doing. He put us there. He put us there in that situation,” Esposito stated, evoking the surreal nature of their connection.
Even though Esposito has maintained contact with Urteaga and her family throughout the years, this occasion marked only their second in-person meeting. Together, they took to the field before kickoff to recreate the iconic pose captured in that now-famous photograph.
Impact on Children’s Lives
Both Esposito and Urteaga underscored the vital mission behind their reunion. “If it helps children with that emblem, that’s all that matters,” Esposito emphasized, reiterating how the logo’s legacy continues to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children and the many young lives they touch.
The Source: This article is based on interviews with Mike Esposito and Nicole Urteaga during the East West Shrine Bowl at AT&T Stadium.
