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:
“I had rather believe all the fables in the Legend, and the Talmud, and the Alcoran, than that this universal frame is without a Mind; and, therefore, God never wrought miracle to convince atheism, because his ordinary works convince it.”
—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)