Former Chieftain footballer earns MVP honors at summer game
Posted on 07/11/2018
Keland Bearpaw speaks to Jonathan Huskey of KOTV Channel 6(SPS) - We may be in the dog days of summer, but it was perfect for football last week in southern California.

At least it was for former Sapulpa Chieftain, Keland Bearpaw.

Keland, a member of the Euchee tribe, was invited to participate in the Indigenous Bowl, a game featuring Native American high school senior football players from around the country. It was played in San Diego.

The game was the finale of a week-long camp that included a collegiate atmosphere and where the boys learned from coaches with Native backgrounds, as well as share stories, values, and culture with one another.

Keland earned MVP honors for his performance.

Keland Bearpaw poses with other MVP winners after Indigenous Bowl
Keland Bearpaw, third from left, stands with the other MVPs of the Indigenous Bowl on July 7, 2018 in San Diego, Cali.

He told KOTV Channel 6 that being around the other Native American players and coaches inspired him to do more.

"I know my language some, but I really need to learn it more. That way I can help a lot more, I can be a bigger influential person," Keland told KOTV sports reporter Jonathan Huskey.

Read KOTV's story here and watch Keland accept his MVP recognition Saturday night in the video below.