NFL stars give back to Misawa

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  For Misawa, Feb. 4 was no normal day for football, as National Football League cheerleaders, Lauren, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Tara, Denver Broncos as well as Washington Redskins players Darrel Young, fullback, and Niles Paul, tight end, watched Super Bowl XLVII with members of the base community.

"This was an awesome experience," said Senior Airman Keegan Early, 35th Maintenance Operations Squadron, maintenance planning, scheduling and documentation. "I just got here a few weeks ago and this is just what I needed. I saw the flyers and got really excited; plus my wife is a Broncos fan so it all worked out."

During the game, Young and Paul walked around, signed autographs, talked to fans and watched some of the game with the crowd. For Early, this was an experience he said he will never forget.

"It was really cool," said Early. "I never thought I would have the opportunity to watch a game with a player [Niles Paul] from my favorite team. This will definitely be one of those days I remember for the rest of my life."

The day before the big game, the players and cheerleaders put on a football clinic and cheer camp for Misawa youth at the Potter Fitness Center to give them professional skills to use for the future.

"The football clinic was the best part," said Young. "It was my first time doing something like that. I had never thought about coaching, but it was a really good time."

Young, who has a brother in the U.S. Army, saw this trip as an eye-opening experience for him as he visited the base.

"With my brother being in the military I want to do anything I can to give back and show people we appreciate what they do," said Young. "I run for 100 yards. I'm not doing anything anyone else can't do. The troops are the real heroes."