Sun Bowl is emotional event for players, families

The families of football players on both teams have traveled hundreds of miles to the Sun City to watch them play for the last time this year.

For some on the team, it’s the last time they’ll ever play.

Bowl games are big events for the players and for their biggest fans in the stands.

Some Bruins and Hokies families spent as much as $1,000 to travel to El Paso for the 80th annual Hyundai Sun Bowl. Watching their loved one suit up one last time is worth every penny.

The camaraderie experienced by the players spills onto the stands as families meet up for as many games as they can.

“These parents are unbelievable. We go with them everywhere and it’s fantastic. They’re all wonderful and hardly any of them miss any games,” said Robin Farris, Virginia Tech’s Offensive Lineman Caleb Farris’ mother.

The Sun Bowl will be an emotional time on and off the gridiron.

ABC-7 reporter Collin Carroll knows.

He was a long snapper for the Virginia Tech Hokies. Carroll said a lot of the guys will have NFL careers, but a lot won’t and this is their last chance to play college football.

Having the Carrolls in the stands made the experience even more memorable for him. “I remember when I played the Sugar Bowl in 2012, having my family there is an extra motivation,” he said.