Houston, TX – Texas A&M defensine lineman Michael Bennett has accepted a bid to play in Houston's East-West Shrine Game.

Initial player invitations have been sent for the 84th edition of the All-Star game, Jan. 17, 2009, in Houston, Texas at the University of Houston’s Robertson Stadium, and to date, 26 of college football’s best have accepted.

The football match-up, which began in 1925, features many of the best college players in the nation divided by region, but coming together to raise money for Shriners Hospitals for Children, an international health care system of 22 hospitals across North America.

Two legendary NFL and college coaches have agreed to lead the teams this year - Bobby Ross for the East Team and Gene Stallings for the West Team.

ACCEPTANCE LIST (12-3-08)
EAST TEAM
Cody Brown Coral Springs, FL OLB/DE University of Connecticut
Nathan Brown Russellville, AR QB University of Central Arkansas
Darius Butler Ft. Lauderdale, FL CB University of Connecticut
Trevor Canfield Cincinnati, OH G University of Cincinnati
Brooks Foster Boiling Springs, SC WR University of North Carolina
Eric Kettani Kirkland, OH FB United States Naval Academy
Jonathan Luigs Little Rock, AK C University of Arkansas
Tyrone Mckenzie Riverview, FL OLB University of South Florida
Kraig Urbik Hudson, WI G University of Wisconsin
Otis Wiley Flint, MI SS Michigan State University

WEST TEAM
Ramses Barden Altadena, CA WR Cal Poly State University
Michael Bennett Houston, TX DE Texas A&M University
Rhett Bomar Dallas, TX QB Sam Houston State University
Tom Brandstater Turlock, CA QB Fresno State University
Travis Bright Queen Creek, AZ G Brigham Young University
Jarett Dillard San Antonio, TX WR Rice University
Pannel Egboh Mesquite, TX DE Stanford University
Ray Feinga West Valley City, UT G Brigham Young University
Anthony Felder Seattle, WA LB University of California
Joshua Mauga Fasson, NV MLB University of Nevada
Darcel McBath Gainesville, TX S Texas Tech
Marko Mitchell York, AL WR University of Nevada
Thomas Morstead Pearland, TX P Southern Methodist University
Bear Pascoe Porterville, CA TE Fresno State University
Jason Phillips Waller, TX ILB Texas Christian University
Worrell Williams Sacramento, CA LB University of California

WHAT: 84th Annual East-West Shrine Game

WHO: Top NCAA College Football Players

WHERE: University of Houston, Robertson Stadium, Houston, Texas - Televised on ESPN2

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009 - 3pm CST kick-off

HOW: Tickets are now onsale and may be purchased online at the following Web sites:
www.Shrinegame.com, www.uhcougars.com, www.ticketmaster.com
Tickets may also be purchased by phone at (713) 462-6647 or in-person at the University of Houston Ticket Office, located at 3100 Cullen Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77204.

MORE INFORMATION: www.shrinegame.com