Former Giant cheers team from Afghanistan

Story by SGT Jim Wilt
Combined Joint Task Force -82 Public Affairs Office

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – As millions of Americans gather around their televisions with pizza, hot wings and beer to watch the Super Bowl, service members on the other side of the world will be rolling out of beds, cots or sleeping bags to watch the big game.

While many service members will not be able to see the game because they are on duty or at remote bases without televisions, at least one Soldier will be watching the game.

Lt. Col. Nate Rivers, a former New York Giant, will be watching the Giants go head to head with the New England Patriots on TV here as the game unfolds in the early morning hours.

"I am pulling for my Giants." Rivers, who is the Combined Joint Task Force-82 logistics maintenance chief, said. "I will probably be the most emotional guy in [the logistics section]."

His emotions may be in for a roller coaster ride as the game could ebb back and forth, but he is prepared for the worst. Despite River's affection for his team, he is a realist.

"If there was a perfect team right now, the Patriots fit the bill," the 52-year-old former running back said.

Rivers, who is a resident of Anchorage, Ala., began his NFL career when he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1979 after a successful college career at South Carolina State University as a quarterback. He was traded to the Giants shortly after.

Rivers said he was with the Giants for two years before being traded again to the Baltimore Colts where he ended his career in 1981 as a wide receiver.

"I knew I need to move on," he said after spending time on the injured reserve. Rivers explained he saw players trying hold on to the sport after their time was over. "I just decided I wasn't going to do that."

Rivers said he thinks it was less than a week later he was standing with his right hand raised at an Army recruiters' office.

"I told the recruiter I wanted the hardest thing out there," Rivers recalled. Shortly there after, he found himself at Fort Benning, Ga., training to be an infantryman.

"The Army provided me the opportunity to be on the 'first team' ... 26-years-later, that is why I am still on the 'first team,'" the still formidable looking lieutenant colonel said.

"The Army offered me a better deal," he added.

Rivers' still has good memories about his days as a professional football player.

"I was there for Lawrence Taylor's rookie year," he said.

With pride, he went on to say, "I don't think too many people can say they knocked him on his back and stood over him and said 'get up rook.'"

Even though Nate Rivers never became a household name, Rivers is still proud of his accomplishment.

"Reporting to camp is a feat in itself," he said.

He went on to add, "success comes with what you desire to be."

Playing pro-ball and becoming an officer in the Army are two accomplishments many people would be proud of. But they are not the icing on Rivers' cake.

"The most important [accomplishment] in my mind is when I got my college degree," he said.

As the two teams duke it out on the field, Rivers will be waiting to see if he has to make a phone call to his wife.

"I have my Giant's jersey," he said. "If I had it [here] I would wear it."

If the team wins, the phone call to his wife will be to have his number 34 jersey sent to him.

Even as Rivers watches the game Sunday, he will still remember why he is here.

"This is a Super Bowl here too. There is a winner and loser and God forbid we come out on the losing end in the War on Terror."

While the Giants and Patriots fight it out in their Super Bowl, service members will be fighting it out during their Super Bowl. And, for service members who are fortunate enough to watch the game, the battle between the two teams may be a pleasant break from the battle they fight here everyday.