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NFL Players visit Iraq

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers wait behind Keith Byars and Bryan Cox for an opportunity to take a photograph...... read more read more

TIKRIT, IRAQ

02.07.2006

Courtesy Story

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Pfc. Cassandra Groce
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detach.

TIKRIT, Iraq (February 6, 2006) -- The Super Bowl has long been an event that excites football fans everywhere. Soldiers in Iraq look forward to that 2 a.m. game that will once more define history for the next year. Not much could improve on that game, except maybe some retired NFL pros sitting with you.

Numerous Soldiers in Iraq have been treated to a visit by an entourage of traveling football players, culminating in them watching the game with troops in Tikrit, Iraq, at Forward Operating Base Speicher.

Running back Keith Byars, who played in Super Bowl XXXI, linebacker Bryan Cox, who helped the Patriots win the Super Bowl in 2001 for the first time in franchise history, kicker Nick Lowery, who broke virtually every Chiefs record including longest field goal, and running back Christian Okoye 'the Nigerian Nightmare" who was nominated for the 2000 Hall of Fame, attended.

In addition to this elite group of players, Bonnie-Jill Laflin, a former Dallas Cowboys and 49ers cheerleader, CEO of an NBA clothing line and acting roles in shows including Baywatch, Ally McBeal and numerous music videos, came to cheer the troops.

"I hear it's pretty much like Groundhog Day with the same thing over and over," said Laflin. "So if I can change it up and put a smile on their face it's really worth it to me."

The group visited troops at Camp Adder in southern Iraq, Haditav, Alasad, Ramagan near Samarra, Iraq, Speicher in Tikrit, Iraq, Tajji, Prosperity and Liberty.

While at Ramagan, the players" 'toughness" was challenged by returning Soldiers from a convoy. The jests led to the players being given a chance to fire a .50 caliber and an M-4 rifle.

"We got to shoot guns, which was really fun," said Laflin.

The group's trip to Iraq had some sobering ramifications as well. When they first arrived in Kuwait, they watched fallen Soldiers being shipped back to Iraq.

"It was very sobering and really put things into perspective for them," said Brian P. Lee, the director of Marketing Ventures and Promotions that put the NFL players tour together. Seeing this though, did not cause the former athletes to despair, but rather altered their views on Iraq and the Soldiers who are there.

"Regardless of if you think the war is right wrong or otherwise we have people over here battling for our freedoms," said Cox. "So it's important that I come over here and let the guys and girls know how thankful I am that [they] sometimes have to give up [their] life for others to be free."

Seeing the country first hand and talking with Iraqis has showed the athletes a whole new side to a very high-profile war.

"You read all kinds of junk about the country and once you come to Iraq your thoughts and views are changed," said Okoye. "This is real and a lot of things are a lot better than I thought and what I have seen on television. [These] guys have really done a good job bringing freedom to the country. From what we hear on TV and see in newspapers, it didn't sound like this, so I am very impressed."

"It's funny talking to the Iraqis and seeing how nice they are," said Laflin. "Everyone here seems happy and that the war is making a difference. I think if you come over here it changes your opinion."

The players and Laflin spent hours visiting troops throughout the camps, signing autographs and taking pictures with them. They also took the time to eat dinner with troops at their chow halls.

"We want to say to them to hang on keep doing what they are doing," said Okoye. "They have our support. Just looking at them and seeing the smile on their face makes me feel good, so they have my support."

Even though the athletes had already been up and running for 20 hours, a 2 a.m. Super Bowl game with troops was not passed by. The group traveled to different locations that were showing the game to watch it with Soldiers and talk sports.

"We've been all over Iraq to support the troops, and it is very dear to my heart," said Laflin. "My uncle served in Vietnam and my grandfather in World War 2, so it was very important to come out here and give the troops a smile and hopefully make a difference."