BA lineman wins Doc Blanchard Award at Army national all-star game

Brentwood Academy senior lineman Graham Shuler, a Stanford University recruit, was in San Antonio last week for Saturday’s Army All-American Bowl with the nation's best football players. On Friday night before the game, he was presented the 2012 Doc Blanchard Award. He emailed a postcard to Brentwood Home Page along the way and here's his final dispatch:

Brentwood Academy's Graham Shuler played for the East team in Saturday's U.S. Army All-American Bowl game. The West team won 24-12.

"The Army All-American Game was one of the best experiences of my life. Being there with those soldiers and players was such an incredible opportunity. Friday night at the banquet I spent time with numerous 3- and 4-star generals and the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. I also had the privilege of sitting next to the soldier of the year.

"The award ceremony was very impressive. Shannon Sharpe was the keynote speaker and his speech was very impressive. One of the major things I took away from his speech was when he said something along the lines of this, "Coaches will tell you for the rest of your life that the name on the front of the jersey is more important than then the name on the back – do not listen to them. The name on the front of your jersey can change in a day, but you wear your family's name on your back forever. The name you wear on your back represents the people who raised you, who have supported you, who have loved you, but more importantly that is the title of your legacy. Wear it with pride and honor the others associated with that name." 

"Following Mr. Sharpe's speech I was presented with one of the six awards given out that night. It was such an incredible honor to be recognized in a room full of high-ranking brass, elite players, and my family. That night was hectic trying to get in bed early to rest up for the big game the next day, which didn't really happen. Game day started with my 6 a.m. alarm going off.

"We had early breakfast and meetings followed by media stuff. Finally we boarded buses for the short ride to the Alamo Dome and got ready for the game.  Our warmup was at 10 and we were done by 10:30 . . . We didn't kick off until 12. Although I had won a starting job at right tackle, a general came into the locker room where we did a coin toss to see which group was going to start the game. My group lost the coin toss, but my group was the line that led the only two scoring drives we had. I felt pretty good about my performance in the game. 

"My last night with all my teammates was really fun, but somewhat saddening realizing that I wasn't going to see these guys that I had gotten so close with until the senior bowl in Mobile. I got home late this afternoon and reflecting on this trip I must say – It was the best week of my life."

Thursday's postcard

"Today was another great day down here in SAT!  Practice was sharp and the East team has come together really well. We had a lineman 7-on-7 that went great.  Coach Jason Mathews, my parents, and little brother got in today so I'm definitely looking forward to hanging with them."
 

Click here for previous story on former Titan lineman Jason Mathews mentoring BA's Shuler.

Click video above to watch Sports Illustrated's High School Player of the Week honoring Shuler.
 

Wednesday's postcard

"We had a day off of practice today. With our day off we did community service at different places. Some groups went to a local school to read to kids, some went to a Punt, Pass & Kick competition with Wounded Veterans, and my group went to a local veteran rehab center that specializes in severe injuries.  The facilities were so impressive and the creative ways they undergo rehab was awesome to see."

Tuesday's postcard

"Stanford game was heart-breaking. I watched the end of it in my room with a fellow commit, and we had to pretend to be asleep so that all the other players would stop banging on the door. Today was a much better practice for me. We just had a big dinner and I'm worn out just lounging in the players' lounge." 
 

Monday's postcard

"Yesterday was a blast getting to meet all of my teammates and coaches. We had a great time going through the very busy day. Adidas, Battle Sports Science, Gatorade, and Several other brands gave us a ton of gear.  Just finished first practice and was very impressed with the talent all around."