Photo By Staff Sgt. Sharon Matthias | From left, Sgt. Samuel Butler, Staff Sgt. Jason Vemmen, Spc. Matthew Blake, Sgt....... read more read more
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CHARLOTTE, North Carolina --- Paratroopers assigned to the 122nd Combat Aviation Support Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, represented the All American Division and Fort Bragg at the 16th annual “Weekend Warrior” Flag Football tournament March 16-17, at the Carolina Panthers Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The team captain, Sgt. Samuel Butler, led “Atlas” to win the All American Week XXIX tournament last spring.
“It will be our last hurrah together since a couple of us are pcsing (permanently changing station),” said Butler an AH-64 attack helicopter repairer. “We played for the past 3-4 years together, some of us won leagues together, and finally won All American Week last year in the Flag Football tournament.”
Spc. Matthew Blake a petroleum supply specialist with 122nd CASB was a new member of the team when they played in last year’s tournament.
On Saturday, Blake played three positions: running back, wide receiver and corner. He knew the team’s winning strategies and always seemed lined up to receive Butler’s (quarterback) passes to complete first, second and third downs.
“It was definitely a fun experience playing with the team,” said Blake. “But it was also a first time experience for some of us playing with four people, it was pretty new.”
The quarterback was not always successful at making his throws before being blitz by opponents. At that moment, he used agility and speed to run the ball before he threw it to the wide receiver.
Atlas wide receiver Sgt. Anthony Johnson, an aircraft structural repairer, took advantage of his 6-feet-3-inches height to defy the laws of gravity while jumping to complete a difficult catch to score a touchdown.
“I felt like I just got to go out there for the team and do my part,” said Johnson.
"Just like how everyone is working hard, I try to be helpful the best way I can.”
Megan Grady, director of field operations for the United Service Organization of North Carolina, said she loved the fact that the USO was able to share the experience with the service members.
"The USO wanted the Soldiers to come out and have a National Football League (NFL) like experience at the stadium with their families, fellow soldiers and other teams in a fun tournament," said Grady.
Atlas’ center and linebacker Staff Sgt. Jason Vemmen, an aircraft electrician, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play their final game together in Charlotte.
“We’ve been playing together for a long time,” said Vemmen. “Some of the teammates are leaving so the opportunity to play together in that type of settings for the last time was really an enjoyable experience.”
Despite the team not winning the tournament, one member of Atlas remains hopeful that the team will meet again.
“Hopefully in the future during our military careers, we can play together again,” said Blake. “As of now, it is pretty sad that it won’t be the same team for next year.”
| Date Taken: | 03.16.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.23.2019 14:16 |
| Story ID: | 315463 |
| Location: | CHARLOTTE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 53 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Team “Atlas” played Its Final Game Together, by SSG Sharon Matthias, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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