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Annual Beef Bowl Canceled Because Of COVID-19 Concerns

BEVERLY HILLS (CBSLA) The annual Lawry's Beef Bowl was canceled for the second year in a row because of the concerns surrounding the rising cases and the emergence of the Omicron variant.

The restaurant decided to air on the side of caution to protect not only its staff but the visiting players during this current winter surge, according to a statement.

Los Angeles Area and surrounding cities prior to a major rain storm.
Los Angeles, CA - January 27: The Rose Bowl with the San Gabriel Mountains as a rain storm is expected in Pasadena on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

Since 1956, the Beef Bowl has been an annual tradition where the Rose Bowl teams dine at the namesake's Beverly Hills prime rib restaurant. The only year that it didn't happen was 2020 when the Rose Bowl was moved to Texas amid the last year's winter surge.

"The purpose of the event is to honor champion student-athletes for their achievement as a team of making it to the Rose Bowl Game," said Richard R. Frank, executive chairman of the board of Lawry's Restaurants Inc.

Frank's father, Richard N. Frank began the tradition in 1956 shortly after becoming Lawry's president.

"The meal is a large part of the celebration because these are young men with enormous appetites, but its more about celebrating together away from the practice field in a legendary setting," the younger Frank continued.

In lieu of a traditional Beef Bowl, the restaurant will package and deliver the meals to the players instead.

(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

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