An NFL star, an NFL Europe League head coach, a scattering of acclaimed high school and college coaches and the original Heisman Trophy greeted players competing at the Red Oak Farms Global Junior Championship V at their welcome banquet at the Clearwater Harborview Center on Monday evening.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fullback MIKE ALSTOTT was an unexpected but welcome visitor to the dinner when he stopped by after hearing that a group of 16 to 19 year olds from three continents were preparing to meet in an international all-star game in the build up to Super Bowl XXXV.

"Go out there and enjoy yourselves and who knows, maybe one day you can fulfill your dreams of playing football at the highest level," he told players from Europe, Japan, USA and Canada. Alstott posed for photographs and signed autographs for his admirers before tournament organiser and host PATRICK STEENBERGE introduced other speakers, who included a player from each competing team.

New Frankfurt Galaxy head coach DOUG GRABER, who will watch Super Bowl XXXV from the German city that will become his spring home, also spoke to the players who might one day find themselves on his roster in the NFL Europe League.

"You really get a sense of how big the game of football is becoming around the world when you see young players from such different countries and backgrounds come together for an event like this," he said. "This is an absolutely incredible event and I want to wish all the teams the best of luck and hope they enjoy themselves. Football is football wherever in the world it is played, it draws characters and forms friendships that I can see you are forming tonight."

The original Heisman Trophy was under guard for the evening, but players from all teams were able to pose for photographs with the coveted trophy for which they might one day compete if their careers blossom in future years.

"It's great to see a trophy with so much history that represents greatness at an event like this," said English Team Europe linebacker Russell Goodall.

Host families who are providing a home away from home for the visiting players of Team Europe, Canada and Japan returned to their homes within the Pinellas County area, promising to give them a sample of Florida's Beach during their brief stay.

Palm Harbor High School head coach MIKE JUNE had spent only two short car rides with defensive backs CUNYET OZKAN from Germany and Holland's ROBBIE HIENSCH, but was certain he would enjoy acting as a host parent to the Team Europe pair.

"They're fantastic!" he said. "We've had time to talk football, food and about what they want to do while they're here. Robbie has played high school football in the US before but for the other guy it's his first experience of America and we want to give him an opportunity to see things. He wants to go to the beach of course!

"I've been really fired up about this whole event and the families who have taken in kids have been fantastic and when my wife and I called them up to ask about looking after a Team Europe player, they instantly said 'yeah, no problem.'"

Coach June himself barely has room for two additions to a family that already includes three young boys and added. "I asked my wife if we should take one and look after him and she told me no - we should take two - so we did!"

As a coach in the Pinellas County area that provides the players on the Team USA roster, coach June might be torn between cheering for his new found European sons and staying loyal to his home team. "I won't say I'll be torn," he explained. "But I'll ride the fence pretty good."

Defending champion Canada kicks off the fifth annual Red Oak Farms Global Junior Championship against tournament newcomer Japan at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24 at Clearwater High School, followed by the long awaited clash between USA and Europe at 7:00 p.m.

The winners meet in the Championship Game at Clearwater High School at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 27 - the eve of Super Bowl XXXV - following the tournament's bronze medal game, which kicks off at 4:00 p.m.