HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - As the NFL offseason rolls on, Cleveland Browns quarterback and Hawaii native Dillon Gabriel is using his time to host a new youth sports event.
“I wanted to get all these schools together,” Gabriel told Hawaii News Now. “I love Hawaii competition.”
Gabriel and his [I’m Inspired Foundation](https://www.instagram.com/iminspiredfoundation/) is putting on the inaugural Hawaii Gridiron Games at his alma mater.
The event will feature three main sections.
A big man showcase for offensive and defensive lineman, a 7-on-7 skills challenge and topping it off with two OIA girls flag football games.
“Excited for that and like I said, just everyone getting to experience football together and celebrate the sport that we all love,” Gabriel said. “There’s nothing like Hawaii high school football, so all of us coming together, it’ll be a lot of fun.”
The double header features Kahuku taking on Moanalua, followed by the hometown Lady Trojans playing reigning state champion Campbell.
“I went to my first girls slide game last year and the energy, the fun, it’s all the Hawaii fans that come around, boys high school football as well, so it’ll be good to get everyone together,” Gabriel said.
Gabriel is coming off of his rookie season with the Cleveland Browns and despite the ups and downs throughout the year, he hopes it can show local athletes the different paths they can take to achieve their goals.
“I think in my time I’m very well traveled, you know, going from Florida to Oklahoma to Oregon, you know, I’ve had experience around different camps, throughout high school, different facilities and, environments that I’ve played in,” Gabriel said. “I want to continue to bring that back to Hawaii, so that there’s experiences that they can all enjoy and and come together.”
As for the event, Gabriel hopes to turn the Gridiron Games into an annual attraction.
“I just want to continue to have that for kids that are coming up and let them have similar experiences and make sure it’s a positive one,” Gabriel said.
The Hawaii Gridiron Games is set for March 19 at Mililani’s John Kauinana Stadium.
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