Capt. Tyler Terrazone and Mario Williams of the Houston Texans discuss weapons systems operations during a National Football League players visit March 5, 2010, to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Captain Terrazone is an F-15E Strike Eagle weapons system officer assigned to the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Richard Williams)
Vernon Davis of the San Francisco 49ers signs autographs for servicemembers March 5, 2010at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Richard Williams)
Col. Joseph Chozinski receives an official game day coin from Mario Williams of the Houston Texans and Vernon Davis of the San Francisco 49ers during the National Football League players visit to the Craig Joint Theater Hospital March 5, 2010, at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Colonel Chozinski is the 455th Expeditionary Medical Group/Task Force Medical commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Richard Williams)
1st Lt. Candice Owen explains basic hospital procedures to National Football League players during a visit to the Craig Joint Theater Hospital March 5, 2010, at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Lieutenant Owen is a 455th Expeditionary Medical Group/Task Force Medical clinical nurse. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Richard Williams)
Jason Witten (left) of the Dallas Cowboys talks with Col. James Beissner and Chief Master Sgt. Jeffery Cui during a recent National Football League players visit March 5, 2010, to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Colonel Beissner is the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander and Chief Cui is the 455th AEW command chief master sergeant. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Richard Williams)
Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns signs autographs for Airmen March 5, 2010, during a visit to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Richard Williams)
Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns signs a football for Senior Airman Joshua Adkins during an autograph session March 5, 2010, at the Pat Tillman USO lounge at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Airman Adkins is an American Forces Network broadcaster. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Richard Williams)
Mario Williams of the Houston Texans hands an autograph to Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Price during an autograph session March 5, 2010, at the Pat Tillman USO at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Sergeant Price is assigned to the 455th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Richard Williams)
Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns signs autographs for Airmen during a recent visit to Bagram Airfield, March 5, 2010. The National Football League players are on a USO-sponsored tour of the U.S. Central Command area of operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Richard Williams)
by Staff Sgt. Richard Williams
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
3/9/2010 - BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- Four National Football League players visited Bagram Airfield servicemembers 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, were welcomed by the servicemembers.
The signed autographs, posed for pictures with the troops and learned about the mission in Afghanistan.
The players visited servicemembers on the flightline, at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital and then stopped by the Pat Tillman USO for a trivia session and to sign a few pictures.
"It's great to be able to see the guys who put their lives on the line to protect us and our country," Mr. Williams said.
"It's great that they can come out here and support us," said Tech. Sgt. Thomas Williamson, a 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load team chief. "We have a lot of NFL fanatics out here."
Sergeant Williamson, a San Francisco 49ers fan from Charleston, S.C., said (the visit) 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.
Mr. Williams said the experience was eye opening for him.
"Coming here has been a great experience for me," he said. "Just being able to come here and see what the troops have to go through on a daily basis; it has been amazing."
"I appreciate everything that you guys do," Mr. Williams said. "I want to wish all the troops the best, and I hope everyone returns home safe."
