The Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge was started in 1996 by former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason. It’s mission was to generate money for his foundation, which is focused on finding a cure for systic fibrosis, while at the same time offering the best seniors from New York City and Long Island a stage to showcase their talents.
It’s not necessarily meant to produce college football scholarships – the end of June is usually too late in the process.
Jason Bromley is an exception.
Flushing’s under-the-radar defensive lineman performed so well, in such a dominant manner, to garner MVP honors, in the city’s 15-10 victory, he created a Division I scholarship for himself.
“I had a chip on my shoulder because everybody got their [scholarship], I had to show I deserved [mine],”he said.
Syracuse took notice. Bromley recently inked a financial aid agreement with the Orange – it’s too late for a National Letter of Intent – and will be on campus the first week in August.
“I feel like it’s a great opportunity for me,” said Bromley, Flushing’s first Division I football player since coach Jim DeSantis restarted the dormant program five years ago. “This is what I’ve been waiting for, an opportunity to play at the Division I level.”
The physically imposing yet extremely mobile and explosive Bromley is a success story. He had zero organized football experience before he landed at Flushing and nearly quit the team after his first training camp because there was too much work involved. His mother, Francis Nimmins, convinced The Post’s All-City first team selection to stick it out if the amount of work was the only thing getting in the way of his newest pursuit.
“It’s given me the opportunity I never thought I would have,” he said. “If not for her, I might’ve taken a different route.”
Not only did he adjust to the heinous workload, Bromley became the Red Devils’ hardest worker. DeSantis would often have to tell him to take it easy in practice so others could make plays. He was first running wind sprints despite his large frame.
“Only ever time I ever had a guy work like that was Vinny Rey,” DeSantis said, referring to the former Bayside standout who played college football at Duke, and will be in training camp with the Cincinnati Bengals in two weeks. “He’s gonna get big and strong, he’s gonna work his [butt] off. He’ll be able to compete [at that level]. I can’t wait to see him when he’s 22, 23 years old and see what he’s gonna look like.”
The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Bromley saw his recruitment come alive after he garnered MVP honors in the Empire Challenge on June 22. He had two sacks and seven tackles – three for losses – was instrumental in Long Island quarterback John Kinder, another Syracuse recruit, struggling so mightily, and drew the admiration of Boomer Esiason, the game’s organizer.
“That kid was unstoppable,” the former pro said that night. Esiason hoped the performance would open a few eyes, and it did. Several coaches from the game called colleges they were familiar with, and Syracuse pounced on Bromley first.
Penn State and Rutgers were involved, but didn’t offer a scholarship. Bromley became the latest standout to commit to the Orange, joining a class that includes Canarsie receiver Steven Rene, Xaverian linebacker Mario Tull, and Cardinal Hayes receiver Jermiah Kobena. Christ the King quarterback Terrel Hunt has already committed to Syracuse for the 2011.
Because his prospects were so dim, Bromley was scheduled to spend a postgraduate year at New Hampton, a prep school in New Hampshire, next season. That is, before Syracuse got involved.
“It felt relief when I signed,” he said. “At the same time, I can’t be happy about it for too long. It’s time for the next step. Now I have to perform, in the classroom and on the field. I’m not gonna be fresh meat for anybody. I want to play.”