The Bacon Bowl was an annual charity football game which started out being played between members of the Seattle Police Department on one side, and members of the Tacoma Police Department, Pierce County sheriff's deputies, and state police working in Pierce County on the other side. Over the years, participation grew to include personnel from other law enforcement bodies in the counties. It was the second largest charity football game played in the USA. All money raised, after expenses, went to various children's charities around the Puget Sound region. Through 2001, $2.4 million had been distributed to charities.
The Bacon Bowl was played from 1979 through 2005. By 2004, there was criticism that too much of the money raised went to a telemarketing firm and expenses. In 2002, although the game raised nearly $350,000, after expenses only $18,380 went to charities. Other problems were a decrease in attendance. It was replaced in 2006 in favor of other athletic events, including a 3.1-mile (5-kilometre) run and walk. A still later replacement for the football game in 2007 was a boxing event. Over 3,000 players participated over the years. Its name derives from the eponymous pork product, a play on "pig," which is a pejorative term for police officers in the United States.
Famous quotes containing the words bacon and/or bowl:
“Mahomet made the people believe that he would call a hill to him, and from the top of it offer up his prayers for the observers of the Law. The people assembled; Mahomet called the hill to come to him again and again; and when the hill stood still, he was never a whit abashed, but said, If the hill will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet will go to the hill.”
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626)
“In a bowl to sea went wise men three,
On a brilliant night of June:
They carried a net, and their hearts were set
On fishing up the moon.”
—Thomas Love Peacock (1785–1866)