FORT GORDON, Ga. (April 23, 2015) - On the field, football players and military members' professions play out vastly different from one another. It's what happens off the field that connects the two.
Twenty players, past and present, from the Atlanta Falcons football team, visited Fort Gordon April 23 to show their appreciation for the military.
Personnel from 513th Military Intelligence Brigade met and mingled with the team during a catered luncheon. Following lunch, players tested their marksmanship skills at an indoor, computerized firing range. They also learned how to safely and swiftly escape from a training device that simulated a Humvee rollover.
Falcons head coach, Dan Quinn, said he had been looking forward to the visit for a long time. For him, the highlight of the trip was sharing stories through experiences of what makes each profession similar yet unique.
"They're in a different world altogether, but some of the training we do is really fast paced," Quinn said. "And you just have that common appreciation for one another."
Sergeant Vinson Downer, 202nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 513th MI Bde., guided players through Humvee rollover training. When he wasn't busy instructing players, Downer stood off to the side sharing his military experiences with them.
"They have their side of the battlefield, and we have ours," Downer said. "This gives them a different perspective of what we do."
Malliciah Goodman has had his share of arduous training on the turf, but nothing compared to his experience in the Humvee. The defensive end for the Falcons said he hesitated to go in the Humvee at first, but exited with a greater appreciation for what military members endure.
"It definitely gives you some perspective of what a rollover would be like, but in the real world, there's nobody telling you it's going to roll over," Goodman said. "You have to be very alert."
Freddie Martino, wide receiver, had some difficulty with unlatching the door, and recognized that had it been a real-life scenario, he might not have made it out in time.
"Military training is on a whole different level," Martino said. "Any little mistake can end your life."
The team wrapped up their visit with a pep rally and autograph session at Warrior Fitness Center, where military members and their families packed the stands. Before signing autographs, players scattered among the audience before sitting for a group photograph.
Chief Master Sgt. Chad Watson of 31st Intelligence Squadron, and his 10-year-old son, Parker, felt lucky to have had Coach Quinn sit next to them. Watson is from South Georgia and has been a Falcons fan his entire life.
"For them to take time out of their schedules to spend time with us really shows a true appreciation," Watson said. "Actions are more important than words."
"We think about all the sacrifices they (military members) make for us, and these players provide a little bit back in terms of playing a game we love," Quinn said. "The honor is all ours to be here."
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