Posted on 10/14/2005 5:02:17 PM PDT by SandRat
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Army News Service, Oct. 14, 2005) -- Wounded warriors sat center field Oct. 7 at the Alamodome, watching the New Orleans Saints practice for their ill-fated game against the Green Bay Packers.
The New Orleans Saints invited Brooke Army Medical Center’s amputee care patients to attend practice at San Antonio’s Alamodome. Saints' owner Tom Benson extended his thanks by inviting the wounded warriors to the next home game, Oct. 16, against Buffalo.
With the Alamodome empty, the Soldiers had an up-close and personal view of the work that goes into game day. In the empty Alamodome, each play during the practice scrimmage was accompanied by the intercom simulating the noise and music that would be heard during a real game.
“Game day is exciting enough, but it was interesting to see the preparation that goes into the game show,” said Sgt. Kortney Clemons. “As a football fan, being on the field is as close as you can get.”
On the sidelines, the Soldiers were able to hear calls being made and directions given. While in the stands, a stray football flew past them while a player came to retrieve it. In the relaxed atmosphere, warriors joked with players about not giving the football back.
A hanging cheese hat, hung from the goal post as a reminder of the Green Bay Packers, was frequently swatted by the Saints throughout the Oct. 7 practice. Sgt. Justin Hollenbach had the pleasure of taking the cheese home at the end of practice.
During the practice, owner Tom Benson came to greet the Soldiers, thanking them for their sacrifices. On behalf of the wounded warriors, Spc. Andrew Soule presented a Brooke Army Medical Center hat autographed by the patients attending the practice.
After practice, players came over to greet the heroes. They signed autographs and chatted with the Soldiers.
“Seeing these players makes our jobs seem like a piece of cake,” said Jammal Brown, a tackler who was the top offensive lineman in the 2005 national Football League draft.
“Our jobs aren’t half of what they are going through. They are heroes.” The 313-pound 6-foot-6 Saint grew up in a military family. His dad retired from the U.S. Army
BAMC Amputee Care Center staffers appreciated the Saints’ interest in the warriors. “I’m very grateful our sports heroes spent the time and effort to chat with our nation’s heroes,” said Heather Soto, community reintegration coordinator at BAMC. “It makes me happy to see them [Soldiers] happy.”
Troy Hopkins, physical therapist technician at BAMC, said attending practice was a sure motivator for those patients going through physical therapy.
Mike Karney, fullback, said it was awesome meeting some of our everyday heroes. He spoke from the heart in an emotional conversation about the sacrifices that military service members make.
“What we do on Sunday takes a backseat to what these guys do for our country,” Karney said.
Deuce McAllister talked about his high school days with wounded warrior Clemons. He and Clemons played against each other in high school in Mississippi. Clemons was a ninth grader as McAllister was a senior.
As they reminisce, Clemons recalls that his team lost against McAllister’s team during a football game, but jokingly recalls how his team beat McAllister’s team in basketball.
After entering the football game without a win to their name, the Green Bay packers romped Saints 53-2. Unfortunately, McAllister suffered an injury believed to be a torn ACL midway through the third quarter.
Never-the-less, when the Saints left the field for the locker room Friday, Soldiers had a chance to goof-off on the NFL field. Mimicking players and posing with a Saints helmet, Soldiers took pictures and made memories of the day they were on a NFL field, up-close and personal.
(Editor’s note: Andricka Hammonds serves with the Brooke Army Medical Center Public Affairs Office.)
The story makes you proud but, if you go to the source to check out the photo take tissues.
Umm. The Saints beat Buffalo on October 2. They play Atlanta on the 16th. Tom needs to check the schedule.
Thank you Tom Benson and the Saints. Our guys need the support of all of us as we sit on our asses while they do the humping. God Bless them all.
Very nice article. Makes me wish the Packers hadn't trounced them so badly. Almost.:)
BTTT
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