Chris Draft, Donnie Edwards and Eric Metcalf are three of the former NFL players that have joined legendary NFL executive Bill Polian to visit troops stationed in the Middle East as part of a weeklong USO Entertainment tour. This year marks the fifth annual NFL-USO Coaches tour to Afghanistan to show appreciation to service members for July 4th.
The trip also marks the second NFL-USO tour of the year. In March, Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, Cleveland Browns linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Davin Joseph, Broncos linebacker Von Miller, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt traveled to the Middle East to spend time with service members. The group traveled to remote locations throughout the region, dining with soldiers, greeting military personnel and signing autographs.
Former linebacker for several teams including the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, and Washington Redskins Chris Draft’s heart is close to the military. ”My father was in the Marine Corps, my brother was in the Navy and my grandfather was career Army, so military values have shaped my life. It is an honor and a privilege to able to visit our troops abroad and thank them for their commitment and sacrifices that benefit all Americans.”
This trip will be the fifth USO tour for former Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers linebacker, Donnie Edwards, “If it weren’t for our Armed Forces, I wouldn’t know what it was like to have the freedom to vote, much less play football professionally. We, as Americans, owe them our respect and our time. And one of the many ways I honor them is by working with the USO and going out on tours to convey my appreciation.”
Eric Metcalf played for 13 years in the NFL as a kick-return specialist, running back and wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, San Diego Chargers, and Washington Redskins. This was Metcalf’s first USO tour, “People watch the game of football and believe it must be tough to get out there and put your body on the line every play. I chose to be a part of this tour because our troops are the real men and women putting their lives on the line for our entire country. These brave Americans allow us to sleep comfortably every night and being a part of this tour is the only way that I can begin to repay them. I have been on many football teams throughout my life but I am about to experience a few days with the ultimate team and at the same time celebrate the 4th of July with the men and women who keep us free. It gets no better than this!”
Currently a commentator and NFL analyst for ESPN, Polian helped build multiple successful franchises throughout his 24 years at the NFL, serving most recently as President and Vice Chairman of the Indianapolis Colts. This was Polian’s first USO tour “I am honored to be part of this great trip. I can’t imagine a better place to be on July 4th than with our troops overseas.”
In 1966, the NFL teamed with the USO and became the first sports organization to send a group of players to Vietnam and other parts of Asia to demonstrate the league’s support for America’s troops. Since then, NFL icons including Commissioner Roger Goodell, Terry Bradshaw, Larry Csonka, Franco Harris, Howie Long, Don Meredith, Lynn Swann and Johnny Unitas have visited troops on NFL-USO tours in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Kuwait and Somalia.
The group is proud to send an American thank you by spending their holiday visiting with our service men and women.
For more http://www.uso.org/ex-nfl-stars-celebrate-fourth-with-troops/
Photo courtesy of Jim Zimmerman/NFL
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