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Sailors Compete with NFL Legends aboard Midway Museum
Story Number: NNS130627-19
6/27/2013

By Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Farrington, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Four Sailors had the opportunity to compete with 12 National Football League (NFL) legends, during the Electronic Arts (EA) Madden NFL 25 Skills Challenge aboard USS Midway Museum, June 26.

EA and the NFL partnered together with the Navy to show their appreciation for the armed services by encouraging Sailors to participate and attend the event.

"It's pretty amazing being able to talk with these NFL legends and spend some time playing football with them," said Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Travon Daigle, a skills challenge participant. "You grow up cheering these guys on, but being able to step on the field and play with them is a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

The four teams were comprised of three NFL legends and one Sailor, to face off in a series of challenges testing the teams speed, strength and agility to accomplish the challenge on the gridiron.

"It's a fantastic opportunity playing with these NFL legends that I grew up watching," said Legalman 2nd Class Derek A. Holder, a skills challenge participant. "My hat's off to everyone in the military serving overseas though because those guys are my real heroes."

The event featured NFL greats such as Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice and Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino.

"It's all about giving back and showing the military how much we appreciate what they do," said Rice. "This experience is an honor for us to be here on this ship and bring some entertainment to the military."

It's cool to have the opportunity to be around the Navy and give some of their guys the opportunity to show what they've got on the field, added Marino.

For former NFL quarterback Donavan McNabb the experience of meeting sailors and putting on a show for the Navy was a heartfelt experience because his father Sam McNabb was a 24-year Navy veteran.

"My dad was a Navy man, and I had the chance to be around the Navy my whole life," said McNabb. "I always love having the opportunity to say thanks to the men and women of the military for their service. They're going to be cheering our names while we're out here playing, but we really should be cheering their names for what they do for us."

The Sailors chosen to participate in this event were selected by the Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) flag football coordinator.


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For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, visit www.navy.mil/local/pacensandiego/.