Photo By Jim Dresbach | Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning speaks to the media prior to the 2015 USO of...... read more read more
ARLINGTON, Va. - The height and physical frame are hard to miss, so when Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning walked into Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gymnasium during the early morning of March 25, those on deck on the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall took notice.
Known for his off-the-field preparation and training, the 6 foot, 5 inch, five-time National Football League most valuable player was in need of a discreet workout location in the Pentagon/Crystal City area, so he was directed to Henderson Hall’s Smith Gymnasium.
“Surprised” and “shocked” were two words used by the fitness facility’s staff when the Broncos quarterback walked into the Marine fitness center at approximately 6 a.m.
“I was surprised,” said Smith Gym fitness center Manager Cliff Holcomb. “I was getting ready to take my tour through the facility. He came in; he had a baseball cap on. It was a shock.”
Holcomb guided Manning to his desired workout stations, and the quarterback’s hour-and-15 workout ended in the gymnasium with some throwing drills.
“He was a super nice guy. He did some weight training, cardio and some stretching,” Holcomb said. “Then he went into the gym and started doing some throwing drills. He was in our gym throwing the football around. To see him throw in person was quite spectacular.”
The evening before, Manning accepted the USO Merit Award at the 2015 USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore 33rd Annual Awards Dinner in recognition for his USO tour to Afghanistan, Kuwait and the USS Stennis. The future football hall of famer has also repeatedly visited troops at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda.
Before the March 24 dinner, he told the media how the military has changed his perspective on his career, his life and his relationship with service members.
“The tour I took two years ago was really life-changing for me, and I’m not just saying that,” Manning said. “All the conversations and interactions I’ve had with military personnel since I’ve been in the NFL – whether it’s at a coin toss or on the sidelines – I’ve enjoyed these interactions."
“There is a connection between football players and the military,” Manning added. “Spending time with wounded warriors is very inspiring. I said it two years ago [when I went through neck fusion surgery] if I ever whine or complain about how I’m feeling, I need to keep my mouth shut because these warriors are facing intense rehabilitation obstacles.”
Others receiving USO awards at the March 24 dinner were singer and Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame member from the musical group Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, author and war correspondent Sebastian Junger and poet Seema Reza.
| Date Taken: | 03.25.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2015 19:29 |
| Story ID: | 159037 |
| Location: | ARLINGTON, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 164 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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