Join us in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the first PIG BOWL FOOTBALL GAME

Back 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 was the beginning of what would later become “The Pig Bowl,” an event attended by over 32,000 fans. The first official Pig Bowl was played in 1975, and it has survived for 49 years as a community fundraising event. We are proud to say we have played every year since then and have donated approximately $1.6 million to local charities. We   are not done yet, looking forward to many more events!

The word PIG was a derogatory name given to law enforcement back in the 1970’s.  The motto of this game was to use the word PIG for the acronym PRIDE-INTEGRITY-GUTS.  This Sacramento Pig Bowl charity football game started a national craze of pitting law enforcement and/or fire departments against each other on the gridiron.  We are the longest running non-profit public safety charity football game in the United States.  Twenty-One years ago, we incorporated all first responders’ game by converting the name of the game to PIG BOWL Presents GUNS & HOSES.   The game is now the 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 take their personal time to prepare throughout the year for this great game.  They enjoy their team practice sessions during the month of January while 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 to increase our donations each year as we strive for the 50^th Anniversary.   

Another mission for 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 their loved ones will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!

We truly believe:   There are no losers in this game, the charities always win!

The 49^th annual Pigbowl – Guns & Hoses is for charity and to honor co-workers killed in the line of duty. A Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department helicopter dropped the game ball off, hovering above midfield, and then there was a moment of silence to recognize two men this game was designed to honor. Ty Lenehan of the Elk Grove Police Department was killed just over a year ago when, on his way to work for an early shift, he was struck by a wrong-way driver. A freeway dedication — Tyler “Ty” Lenehan Memorial Highway — was announced by the EGPD on Jan. 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