Photo By Sgt. Eric Glassey | Jake Heaps, Skyline High School, Sammamish, Wash., a quarterback for the West team, is...... read more read more
SAN ANTONIO - Football players practice hard, rely heavily on great teamwork and refuse to quit no matter how much odds are stacked against them. All of these qualities shared with Soldiers in the U.S. Army. Neither football players nor Soldiers can afford to forget their principles or risk letting the enemy win.
It only makes sense Soldiers are paired with players at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio. During the week leading up to the game, each football player is introduced to a Soldier and given a chance to bond with, and learn from, the Soldier. Players and Soldiers may face off in an eating competition, challenge each other during a pushup contest or watch college football on TV in each other's company.
Jake Heaps, Skyline High School, Sammamish, Wash., a quarterback for the West team, is paired with Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Sutczak, platoon sergeant, 3-1 Assault Helicopter Battalion, combat aviation brigade, out of Fort Riley, Kan.
"It is very exciting to be paired with Heaps, and a great opportunity for him to be recognized," Sutczak said.
Heaps was excited to be paired with Sutczak as well.
"It is an awesome experience," Heaps said. "Being with a Soldier is one of the things I most looked forward to, and I got a cool Soldier."
Soldier and player alike were thrilled to be in San Antonio to be recognized for their hard work and dedication.
"It's something special to be here when you think of all the greats that have been here," said Heaps.
Heaps is here to be recognized for his outstanding football play, while Sutczak is here because of heroic actions in Iraq.
Throughout his time in Iraq, Sutczak was a platoon sergeant who always did his best to take care of his Soldiers, even if it meant putting himself in harm's way.
Whether they are in San Antonio because of throwing a football or throwing their self in the line of fire, players and Soldiers are here to be recognized for the hard work and dedication they show every day of the year.
| Date Taken: | 01.08.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 01.08.2010 23:28 |
| Story ID: | 43579 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 285 |
| Downloads: | 245 |
This work, Washington Football Player and Fort Riley Soldier Pair-up at U.S. All American Bowl, by SGT Jordan Johnson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT