Hollywood entertainers play ball at Edwards

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Wes Auldridge
  • Air Force Flight Test Center Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) --  Hollywood entertainers “traveled” here May 10 for the second annual National Basketball Association Entertainment League game.

Zane Stoddard, NBA director of entertainment marketing, said he was happy he could bring the entertainers out, show base people a good time and support the military.

"Obviously with the situation in Iraq, emotions are running high and there is a lot of appreciation for what the military is doing for us," said Stoddard. "I said last year the entertainment industry and the NBA are not isolated from what's going on around the world. We appreciate the freedom that we have and the people that maintain that freedom."

Many of the entertainers who came out said they were happy to be putting on a show for the military.

"Right now I think it's funny how America has reacted to the war," said Dean Cain, host of “Ripley's Believe It or Not” and participant in the game. "All the people protesting are the outspoken minority. As a part of the quiet majority, I support our troops 100 percent. I'm just happy to be out here."

Players for the blue team included Ashton Kutcher, Frankie Muniz, Sean Patrick Thomas, Donald Faison, Roger Lodge, Drew Lachey and Jonathan Lipnicki. The white team included Bow Wow, Cain, Dalvin Degrate, Danny Masterson, Wilmer Valderrama, Trevor Penick, Sam Jones and Adam Rodriguez.

During halftime, autographed basketballs were passed out to winning ticket holders. After the game ended, the entertainers signed autographs and posed for pictures.

"It was a great turnout, and we would be happy to come back every year," Stoddard said.

The entertainers agreed with Stoddard, with many saying it was the least they could do.

"Ever since I was a kid I wanted to be a pilot for the Air Force," said Valderrama, an actor on Fox's “That 70's Show.” “The fact that I get to come here is pretty overwhelming. It is cool to meet the men and women who defend our country. It is a blessing to be here and to know we are in good hands."