From Pig Bowl to Guns & Hoses
HISTORY OF PIG BOWL GUNS & HOSES 1975–2024
Join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first Pig Bowl football game.
On a cold day in January 1974, a small group of law enforcement officers got together for a good-natured, badgering football scrimmage. That game marked the beginning of what would later become the “Pig Bowl,” an event that now attracts over 32,000 fans. The first official Pig Bowl was played in 1975, and it has endured for 49 years as a community fundraising event. We are proud to say we have played every year since and have donated approximately $1.6 million to local charities. We are not done yet and look forward to many more events!
The word “pig” was a derogatory term given to law enforcement back in the 1970s. The motto of this game was to turn the word pig into an acronym for Pride-Integrity-Guts. This Sacramento Pig Bowl charity football game sparked a national craze of pitting law enforcement and/or fire departments against each other on the gridiron. We are the longest-running nonprofit public safety charity football game in the United States. Twenty-one years ago, we expanded the game to include all first responders by changing the name to Pig Bowl Presents Guns & Hoses. The game now features law enforcement “Hogs” against the fire service “Dogs.” Players from both sides proudly protect and serve the people of the greater Sacramento region. These first responders dedicate their personal time to prepare throughout the year for this great game, enjoying team practice sessions throughout January, reuniting with old friends and making new ones.
The all-volunteer Pig bowl Guns & Hoses committee members have worked hard to provide our community with a great family event and competitive football game. Our mission is to continue increasing our donations each year as we strive toward our 50th anniversary.
Another mission of this event is to honor the fallen officers and firefighters who paid the ultimate sacrifice while protecting and serving our community. We take great pride in showing the family, friends and co-workers of the fallen that their loved ones will never be forgotten!
We truly believe: There are no losers in this game — the charities always win!
Pig Bowl 49 - Guns and Hoses XXI (2023)
The 49th annual Pigbowl/Guns & Hoses football game is held for charity and to honor co-workers killed in the line of duty. A Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department helicopter dropped off the game ball, hovering above midfield, followed by a moment of silence to recognize two men the game was designed to honor. Ty Lenehan of the Elk Grove Police Department was killed just over a year ago when he was struck by a wrong-way driver while on his way to work for an early shift. A freeway dedication — Tyler “Ty” Lenehan Memorial Highway — was announced by the Elk Grove P.D. on January 17. Stockton Fire Department Captain Vidal “Max” Fortuna was also remembered. He was shot and killed in January 2022 while responding to a fire in Stockton. Family and friends of both men attended the game.
“Barrios hit Galindo for a 21-yard touchdown in the first quarter and a 22-yarder with 2:29 left in the half for a 12–3 lead. Both Fire Dogs point-after touchdown attempts were blocked. The Hogs managed just a 26-yard field goal by Scott Brown with 4:23 left to play in the second quarter. The Hogs’ final points were on a safety when a Fire Dogs player was tackled in the end zone in the fourth quarter.”
Fire Dogs won 12–5.
For more on the game, check out coverage from The Sacramento Bee.
