The showcase of football talent was broadcast on the NFL network and provided a good measuring stick for the two Canadians as they went to an extra level of their football careers this weekend.
The University of Calgary's Anthony Parker donned the uniform of the West team, while Queen's offensive lineman Matthew O'Donnell went to work for the east.
Two players from relatively humble CIS programs moving into the realm of the football factories of the American game, making the journey to Orlando with football and not Disneyworld on their minds.
Showing that the lead up week to the Shrine Game isn't a matter of dropping off your bags and getting ready for a pick up match, NFL teams run combine drills, exam sessions and interview each of the participating players, all designed to make a more complete list of draft eligible seniors for the April NFL draft.
CFL scouts dot the stands and sidelines as well, seeking to track down a player who may slip through an NFL crack or come up just short of expectations, possibly hoping to hone his skills north of the border for a few seasons or possibly more.
The game itself was dominated by the eastern squad, which handily defeated the west by a score of 25-8, the Eastern team's defensive units proving to be more than up to the challenge of the West's offensive threats.
And while neither of the two Canadian participants made it into the top ten of improved draft prospects list from Saturday's game, both Parker and O'Donnell left impressions on the scouts and testing personnel a showing that could provide for more notice on both sides of the football border.
Some of the reviews of Shrine Game week can be found below.
Vancouver Sun-- CFL teams eye seniors in East-West Shrine Game
Montreal Gazette-- Parker brings his game to passel of NFL scouts
Calgary Sun-- Dinos standout pumped for Shrine Bowl
The Gauntlet-- Parker to play in Shrine Game
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