NFL stars pass on some top tips to the troops
AMERICAN National Football League (NFL) stars delighted Aldershot’s 27th Regiment – by turning up to give them a training session at the Hockey Pavilion.
Defensive backs Cameron Wake and Brandon Carr, from the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys respectively, and corner back Will Blackmon of the Jacksonville Jackson Jaguars tested and sought to improve the skills of 20 soldiers from the 27th Transport Logistic Regiment, Royal Logistic Corp.
The players ran the session with Gerry Anderson, from the NFL international office, as part of the league’s community engagement programme.
“I am delighted to be here,” said Wake before the session. “I am looking forward to helping these guys and furthering their careers.”
Sergeant Davidson of the 27th Regiment was equally thrilled to meet the NFL players, and said they were friendly and helpful to the soldiers, who come mostly from rugby backgrounds but have played very little American Football.
Sgt Davidson said: “To meet people of this stature doesn’t happen very often, so to be given this opportunity – not only to meet but be put through our paces – is just fantastic.”
A total of 20 players from all age groups of British American Football team the Farnham Knights also took part. They were assessed, alongside the troops, during agility, conditioning and speed drills.
“It’s truly inspirational to bring the team here,” said Mark Lockwood, the Knights’ director of football.
“It is great that the NFL are now competing in this country. It is fantastic to be competing with the military and hopefully this will give them the bug and they will want to come and play ball.”