RBI Awards Sportsmanship Initiative Award At Annual Turkey Tussle
Nov 09, 2023
PASADENA, Calif. (November 9, 2023) – The Rose Bowl Institute (RBi) announced the awarding of its third Rose Bowl Sportsmanship Initiative (ROSI) award at the annual Turkey Tussle late last month. The Turkey Tussle is the annual match-up between local Pasadena cross-town rival football teams, Pasadena High School and John Muir High School.
This year’s award was presented to two PUSD students, Deon Mejia from Pasadena High School, and Brandon Valencia from John Muir High School for outstanding sportsmanship during the game as assessed by a committee associated with the Institute. Mejia and Valencia were selected for the award after exemplifying what it means to be a good sport and displaying a real passion for the game with respect for others.
For the third time, the Institute presented its Certificate of Sportsmanship to the players who best exemplified the values of sportsmanship seen throughout the annual Turkey Tussle football game at America’s Stadium. The Institute is proud to give back to its local community while continuing to grow, reaching thousands with its programming on a local, national, and international scale.
"For over 75 years, we have seen student athletes from John Muir and Pasadena High Schools leave it all on the field at the Rose Bowl Stadium during the annual Turkey Tussle,” said City of Pasadena’s Mayor Victor Gordo. “Thank you to the Rose Bowl Institute for reminding us of the importance of sportsmanship to the game of football at the high school level.”
The sportsmanship values recognized and encouraged with this award includes appreciation for the game, commitment to the team, respect for others (particularly opponents and referees), playing by the rules, and personal integrity; both student athletes exemplified these values from the beginning to the end of the game last Wednesday evening.
"The annual Turkey Tussle has been a longstanding Rose Bowl tradition and one we take pride in hosting for our local community,” said Jens Weiden, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of the Rose Bowl Stadium. “The opportunity to combine the Institute’s mission and the Legacy Foundation’s enhancement of educational opportunities makes it a unique and special pairing.”
A selection committee worked together throughout the game to review the student-athletes and ultimately selected the players who would be awarded the Certificate of Merit. Committee members for this year’s award included Councilmember Justin Jones, Rose Bowl Advisory Board Member Dr. Jen Welter, and incoming Rose Bowl Institute President, James Washington.
“We are grateful to the staff at the Rose Bowl Institute for providing such an impactful and well-deserved sportsmanship award to an important local community staple at the Rose Bowl Stadium,” added Dedan Brozino, Chief Development Officer of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation. “It’s important that the Institute continues to champion sportsmanship throughout its programming, and continuing to influence our own Pasadena community first is so important.
The Rose Bowl Institute’s mission is to “champion sportsmanship and leverage the power of sports to unite people everywhere. Its three core values, sportsmanship, leadership, and citizenship were reflected in the recipients of this award at the Turkey Tussle. It is the goal of the Rose Bowl Institute to continue this tradition by recognizing the sportspersons of the game in years to come.
For more information, please email rosebowlinstitute@