Two Tigers selected for Shrine game

Two Missouri seniors, left tackle Justin Britt and cornerback E.J. Gaines, were invited to the East-West Shrine Game, an all-star football event Jan. 18 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Britt started all 14 games for the Tigers, including a 41-31 victory Friday against Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl, helping pave the way for an offense that rushed for a program-record 3,330 yards.

Gaines, a Fort Osage graduate, led Missouri with five interceptions. He finished third on the Tigers with 75 tackles, including four for a loss, despite missing 2 1/2 games because of a thigh injury.

Gaines also returned a fumble for a touchdown against Auburn in the SEC Championship game.

Missouri has now sent 40 players to the East-West Shrine Game, including nine under coach Gary Pinkel.

The game, which benefits Shriners Hospitals for Children, kicks off at 3 p.m. and will be televised on NFL Network.

Tickets for the East-West Shrine Game, which start at $15, are available at ticketmaster.com or www.shrinegame.com.

Last month, Missouri defensive end Michael Sam accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl on Jan. 25 in Mobile, Ala.

This story was originally published January 6, 2014 at 10:32 PM with the headline "Two Tigers selected for Shrine game."