Ahmad Jolley (center) received the Rose Bowl Institute’s Sportsmanship Award following the Bulldogs’ victory over John Muir in the Turkey Tussle. Pictured are (from left) Pasadena City Councilman Gene Masuda, Rose Bowl Institute’s Brian Brantley, Mayor Victor Gordo, City Councilman Tyron Hampton, Rose Bowl Institute President Charlie Firestone and Advisory Board member Jen Welter.
Pasadena High School running back Ahmad Jolley was selected as the recipient of the Rose Bowl Institute’s inaugural Sportsmanship Award following the Bulldogs’ 33-6 victory over rival John Muir in the annual Turkey Tussle at the Rose Bowl last Friday evening.
Jolley “showcased continuous acts of sportsmanship throughout the game,” according to a spokesperson.
“For 73 years, we recognize that student athletes from John Muir and Pasadena high schools have left it all on the field – physically and emotionally – at the annual Turkey Tussle here at the Rose Bowl Stadium,” said Pasadena Mayor Victor M. Gordo. “Thank you to the Rose Bowl Institute for starting a new tradition and recognizing the importance of sportsmanship to the game.”
According to an RBI statement, the sportsmanship values recognized and encouraged include appreciation for the game, commitment to the team, respect for others (particularly opponents and referees), playing by the rules, and personal integrity.
The committee members who selected the award recipient included Mayor Gordo, Rose Bowl Institute President Charlie Firestone, Pasadena City Councilmen Tyron Hampton and Gene Masuda, and Rose Bowl Institute representatives Brian Brantley and Jen Welter, who was the NFL’s first female football coach.
“This was a great opportunity for the Rose Bowl Institute to apply our Sportsmanship Award to an important local sporting event at the Rose Bowl Stadium,” Firestone said.
Darryl Dunn, CEO and general manager of the Rose Bowl Stadium, added: “We are very proud of the Rose Bowl Institute and presenting the inaugural sportsmanship award and are thrilled to be part of one Pasadena’s greatest traditions — the Turkey Tussle.”
Pasadena High head coach DeJuan Shamburger heaped praise on Jolley after he received the award. “Man, that’s my guy,” Shamburger said. “We stay on him, his grades are good, he doesn’t complain about anything, he does his job. That’s why he got the Sportsmanship Award.”
