NFL players visit Bagram

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Richard Williams | Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys signs an autograph for Staff Sgt. Arthur Belvin, 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft weapons loader, during a recent National Football League player visit to Bagram Airfield, March 5. The NFL players are on a USO-sponsored tour of the U.S. Central Command area of operations.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

03.05.2010

Story by Tech. Sgt. Richard Williams 

455th Air Expeditionary Wing   

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan—Players from four National Football League teams visited Bagram Airfield, March 5, as part of a USO tour of the U.S. Central Command area of operations.

Mario Williams, a defensive end for the Houston Texans; Jason Whitten, a tight end for the Dallas Cowboys; Vernon Davis, a tight end for the San Francisco 49ers and Joe Thomas, an offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns, received a warm welcome from service members.

The players were happy to sign autographs, pose for pictures with the troops and learn about the mission in Afghanistan.

The players visited service members on the flight line, at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital and then stopped by the Pat Tillman USO for a trivia session and to sign a few pictures.

Williams said, "It's great to be able to see the guys who put their lives on the line to protect us and our country."

"It's great that they can come out here and support us," said Tech. Sgt. Thomas Williamson, 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, weapons load team chief. "We have a lot of NFL fanatics out here."

Williamson, a 49ers fan from Charleston, S.C., said it means a lot to everyone and the support from the USO is great because it gives everyone a chance to have up close and personal interaction with individuals they would normally only get to see on television.

Williams explained the experience as eye opening for him. He said, "Coming here has been a great experience for me. Just being able to come here and see what the troops have to go through on a daily basis, it has been amazing."

Williams added a message, "I appreciate everything that you guys do. I want to wish all the troops the best, and I hope everyone returns home safe."

• Date Taken: 03.05.2010
• Date Posted: 03.08.2010 11:32
• Story ID: 46332
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF