April 13, 2023 at 11:33 am
Six local football players, including the father-son duo, will compete in an upcoming Globe Bowl game at the home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.
Scheduled for April 14 at AT&T Arena, Team USA will take on a World Team with players from countries including Canada and Mexico.
Former Sarnia Imperials right-back Andrew Barnes, who will be joining his 19-year-old son Ethan in an executive role for the team this coming season.
This is the last game of Andrew’s career. He has played for over 30 years, including at a semi-professional level since 2008.
The 45-year-old said it will be special to play alongside Eason, who will join the Empire this year as a defensive end.
“You have mixed emotions the last time you put on your cleats and touched the turf in a game,” Andrew said. “At the same time, my son is playing on the same team, wearing the same jersey. That’s helping me. Also, you get the chance to play on an NFL field. It’s a big dream for both of us. Neither of us are Cowboys fans, but it’s a really nice stadium. I can’t think of a better way to do it than to be on the same team as my son for the International Bowl and my best friend to join us. This is how to get to that Great way to milestone and enter a new chapter in my career.”
Imperials players Jamie Eldridge, Darryl Ntow, Devon Laird and Matt Goulais will also compete in the Global Bowl.
The Globe Bowl is the US version of the MIFA Canada International Bowl and Andrew and Ethan competed last year.
“Ethan ruined that game,” Andrew said. “He played the biggest game of his life and got noticed. We were actually invited to the Globe Bowl at the same time. It was cool that we both got this email and we actually all texted each other at the same time Letter to talk about it.”
The MIFA Canada International Cup began in 2017 and is held annually in Toronto, coordinated by Liston Bates.
It includes men’s and women’s tackle and youth flag football.