Photo By Sgt. Mary Carmona | Twelve Marines traveled from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune to participate in the 2015...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Whistles are blowing, players are sweating in the Charlotte sun and footballs are whizzing across the practice fields at Bank of America Stadium.
Training camp hasn’t started. This is all a part of the inaugural Military Football Fantasy Camp hosted by the Carolina Panthers and the USO of North Carolina.
A 12-man team of Army soldiers traveled from Fort Bragg, while 12 Marines traveled from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
After a greeting from the head coach of the Panthers, Ron Rivera, both teams received offensive and defensive classes before hitting the practice field.
“We want you to experience what it’s like to be a Panther,” Rivera said. “This is what our players do every day.”
After seeing the X’s and O’s on screen, the teams hit the field for about an hour of practice. The soldiers and Marines received real-time and hands-on interaction with the coaching staff and Tillman.
A brief break for lunch and hydration preceded the championship game, as the Marines and Army played a 30-minute 7-on-7 football game for the trophy.
The Marines jumped out to a quick 17-0 lead, but by halftime the Army had made it 20-10. An early second half interception by the Army would make the game close, but the Marines pulled away easily and won 26-13.
“It was a great experience,” said Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Grant, an administrative chief with 2nd Intelligence Battalion. “To be able to represent the Marines against the Army made it that much better.”
The Panthers’ players enjoyed the event as well as guys like Charles Tillman and Greg Olsen stood on the sideline lamenting referee decisions and complimenting the speed and skills of the military players.
While this was the first year of the event, the USO of North Carolina and the Panthers are hoping other NFL teams will host their own camps and that someday a nationwide championship game can be played in Charlotte, said John Falkenbury, president of the USO of North Carolina.
Until then, the Marines of Camp Lejeune are the first and current champions.
| Date Taken: | 06.15.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.23.2015 14:14 |
| Story ID: | 167806 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 97 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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