Peyton Manning is one of the most popular quarterbacks in the NFL and one of the most well-respected athletes in the world and he proved why once again on Friday, as he visited US troops stationed in Afghanistan on a USO tour.
According to NFL.com, Manning, along with Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson and free-agent receiver Austin Collie, visited troops at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan on Friday as part of a USO tour. The three players spoke with troops and also put on a football display, with Manning throwing some balls to Lance Cpl. Terrill M. Clark.
Other members of the trip included Indianapolis Colts quarterback coach Clyde Christensen, former major league pitcher Curt Schilling, American Idol singers Diana Degarmo and Ace Young and two Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. The trip lasted from Feb. 25 to March 2.
During his ride to Afghanistan, Manning joked with troops on the plane saying of the PA system:
"This is your captain, Captain Manning speaking, welcome aboard. We are currently cruising at an altitude of 40,000 feet, currently looking at 35 degrees in our destination, Afghanistan. If you look out your windows, you will see quite a lot of sand. I am currently flying the plane, and I want you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight."
Manning wrote about his trip on ESPN.com in a number of journal entries, including one about throwing with some troops at Camp Leatherneck.
"Camp Leatherneck is home base to roughly 3,000 troops. We were met again by the base commander, Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Mark Gurganus. Warmer here. No snow. No mountains. We headed to an outdoor staging area. The general said that the base had been rocketed the day before 12 times, and six did some damage to our airstrips. They had also lost a man and had two others wounded in a bomb explosion. This certainly made the whole thing very real to me. He said that it was good that we were here, that the troops needed a boost. As before, signed lots of autographs, took lots of pics, before and after the show. Did the same throwing routine. Lance Cpl. Rowback, a female officer, made a nice catch on about a 35-yard post pattern. You might say what's the big deal on that? Well, the big deal is she caught it while carrying an M-16 rifle on her back. I am not sure even Marvin Harrison or Reggie Wayne could have done that. Certainly another first for me on my list of completed passes."
Manning spent time at various bases around the world throughout the week, including on an aircraft carrier as well as in Germany, on aircraft carrier USS Stennis and Camp Lemonnier. Manning has long been a supporter of the troops and made a similar trip in the past.
Manning gave out signed balls to some troops and also threw with a number of them througohout the week, including on a transport plane.
"I want you to have this football to remind you guys we are thinking about you and praying for y'all to return safely," Manning said.
HERE is a journal entry from Manning about the trip and VIDEO of him throwing with troops