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Fox NFL stars score big with troops in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Holly Hess
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Fox NFL Sunday normally broadcasts from Los Angeles but this weekend they left the comfort of home to join the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen serving in Afghanistan.

Terry Bradshaw, Jimmy Johnson, Howie Long, Michael Strahan, Curt Menefee and Jay Glazer made the trip, coordinated through Armed Forces Entertainment, to honor service members in advance of on Veterans' Day Nov. 11.

The team experienced deployed operations by visiting service members at work. Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians, medical professionals, aircrew and Army riggers showcased their specialties to the Fox crew.

"It is nice to see that they appreciate what we do," said Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Spradley, an EOD craftsman based out of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

They came into the same deployed environment we are in to show their support for the troops and it really makes a difference, she said.

The team also made time for a workout. Jay Glazer, Fox NFL Sunday pre-game show host, demonstrated Mixed Martial Arts techniques to service members. He hosted a two-hour workshop covering basic fighting techniques, introducing service members to different chokes, take-downs and submissions throughout the duration of the class.

"This is definitely one of the highlights of my MMA career by far. They are like sponges and pick things up quicker than normal students," said Glazer.

Cage fighting is nothing compared to what our military does, he said. We feel safe because of the great job they are doing every day.

Armed Forces Entertainment representatives were very pleased with the event.
"Armed Forces Entertainment is honored to be a part of this first-ever national broadcast inside a combat zone here in Afghanistan," said Col. Edward Shock, Director of Armed Forces Entertainment.

"The Fox NFL Sunday pre-game show not only boosted the morale of troops here, but this show boosted morale of all U.S. troops, who watched the show, all over the world," he said.