Super Bowl XVIII MVP and NFL single-season rushing leader join Fred Couples’ Team USA
(DUBAI, United Arab Emirates) – The ICONS Cup – a first-of-its-kind, two-day, Ryder Cup-style team golf competition taking place April 22-24 at Dubai Creek Golf Club – announces Pro Football Hall of Fame running backs Marcus Allen and Eric Dickerson will play for Fred Couples’ Team USA.
Allen is widely considered one of the most complete running backs in football history. His NFL career totals include 17,654 yards from scrimmage (No. 7 all-time) and 145 touchdowns (No. 6 all-time). He was the first player in history to record over 10,000 rushing and 5,000 receiving yards. After a legendary collegiate career capped by the 1981 Heisman Trophy, Allen won Super Bowl XVIII with the Los Angeles Raiders and was named game MVP. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
“Marcus’ reputation as one of the NFL’s toughest running backs and best big-game performers will serve him very well in our event,” says ICONS Cup Tournament Director Adrian Flaherty. “His addition shows Fred is taking intangibles as well as raw skills into account as he builds his lineup.”
A 1999 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Dickerson was selected No. 2 overall in the 1983 NFL Draft. He immediately led the league in rushing and won NFL Rookie of the Year. He followed that up in 1984 with a campaign for the ages, setting the single-season rushing record with 2,105 yards. Known for his upright running style and blazing speed, the goggle-wearing Dickerson led the NFL in rushing four of his first six years and was the fastest running back to gain 10,000 career yards.
“Eric combined power and grace better than perhaps any running back in NFL history,” adds Flaherty. “These attributes are a hallmark of his golf game as well, making his selection yet another strong statement by Captain Couples that his guys are coming to the desert to win.”
The first two American football stars named to Couples’ Team USA, Allen and Dickerson join Baseball Hall of Fame members Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux; future Cooperstown inductee Ken Griffey Jr.; two-time NBA World Champion and Olympic gold medal winner Ray Allen; Hockey Hall of Famers and Stanley Cup winners Brett Hull and Mike Modano; and 11-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater.
The final three selections for Team USA will be announced in the coming days.
Conceived, owned and produced by Worldwide Sports & Entertainment, Ltd. (WWSEL), the ICONS Cup is a significant departure from a standard celebrity golf event. It exclusively features low-handicap, A-list athletes playing morning foursomes (alternate shot) on Day One followed by 12 singles matches (Thursday, April 23). The ICONS Cup concludes the following day with 12 additional singles matches.
Team USA will battle Darren Clarke’s 12-man Team Rest of the World (ROTW) in a match play golf event. Its roster of international sporting superstars is set: Gabriel Batistuta, Luis Figo, Robbie Fowler, Andriy Shevchenko and Dwight Yorke (football); Kapil Dev, Brian Lara and Shane Warne (cricket); George Gregan, Brian O’Driscoll and Mike Tindall, MBE (rugby); and Sir Steve Redgrave (Olympic rowing).
For detailed player bios and more information: www.iconscup.com
About Worldwide Sports & Entertainment, Ltd.
Worldwide Sports & Entertainment, Ltd. (WWSEL) is a boutique sports, events and lifestyle business. It creates, owns and manages niche, high-profile sports events around the world. WWSEL produces unique content for global TV and digital distribution. With offices in the U.K. and Dubai serving 44 countries, its talented team generates international conversation with inspiring events like the ICONS Cup and the PLAYERS Cup.
For more information: www.wwsel.com
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