Friday PM Blitz: Watch a dog take down Mark Ingram during the NFL-USO tour in Italy, Germany
[From left] Rex Ryan, Carlos Dunlap and Mark Ingram take a selfie during this week's NFL-USO tour. (Photo via CBS Sports)
New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram, Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap, Atlanta Falcons guard Ben Garland, Minnesota Vikings running back Latavius Murray and former NFL coach and current ESPN analyst Rex Ryan embarked on a weeklong overseas journey as part of this year's NFL-USO tour, an extension of the NFL's Salute to Service program.
NFL Network writer Marc Sessler traveled with the group, whose itinerary included stops at U.S. military bases in Italy and Germany, to hang out with soldiers and their families.
Our USO-NFL TOUR is off for Italy 🇮🇹 + Germany 🇩🇪 as part of the NFL’s Salute to Service. 🏈
— Marc Sessler (@MarcSesslerNFL) April 1, 2018
REX RYAN, MARK INGRAM, LATAVIUS MURRAY, MARIO ADDISON, BEN GARLAND + CARLOS DUNLAP will meet with our troops all week.
Follow here + IG for updates 💎https://t.co/uXC0eHG0u0 pic.twitter.com/JhZpWHiM6K
While Ingram went through and around many defenders in last year's Pro Bowl season, he couldn't escape this beautiful tackle by Rryker, a security K9 at Aviano Air Force Base in Italy:
NFL-USO Tour, Day 2: Versatile @Saints back @MarkIngram22 decided to test his luck against a security work dog here at Italy’s Aviano Air Base.
— Marc Sessler (@MarcSesslerNFL) April 4, 2018
Results: TROUBLESOME. 🐶 pic.twitter.com/WE9t34XfHu
Murray trained with some of the fire and rescue airmen on base:
No offseason break for @Vikings RB @LataviusM.
— Marc Sessler (@MarcSesslerNFL) April 4, 2018
Spent Wednesday training with fire and rescue airmen at Aviano Air Base during our NFL-USO stop. 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/V6gfQsBnke
The NFL and USO have partnered for more than a half-century to support U.S. military personnel, starting with a Vietnam trip in 1966. More than 250 NFL players, coaches and executives have visited troops in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq, Japan, Kuwait, Somalia and South Korea.
NFL prospect starts anti-bullying campaign at former middle school
Photo via Sporting News
Christina Chambers of WFSA 12 reports former Alabama offensive lineman and projected NFL Draft selection Bradley Bozeman traveled to Handley Middle School in Randolph County, Alabama, to combat bullying, which impacted him during his youth.
“I think in sixth grade I was 6-foot tall. I was a big kid ever since I can remember, so you had your typical, 'You're fat,' you're this or that,” Bozeman said.
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The stop was one of 16 Bozeman has planned across the state as part of a new anti-bullying initiative.
“I was in shock that he almost quit football, because he doesn’t look like a guy who has been bullied before. But it just goes to show, you never know what someone will turn out to be, so someone you’re bullying could be the president in the future,” student Emelia Askew said.
Fundraiser to help Ohio teen return to gridiron
Photo via ThisWeekNews.com
Alan Froman of ThisWeek News says an event later this month will help a Columbus, Ohio-area student fulfill his dream of returning to the football field.
Funds from the Debbie and Leo Nunan Foundation basketball benefit game and pro-am bowling tournament will assist with the cost of a special helmet that'll allow seventh-grader Gabe McLaughlin to play football for his school next year. Three years ago, Gabe was diagnosed with a low-grade brain tumor, which surgeons successfully removed.
“He’s a huge football fan and he played before in the Grove City Kids Association,” said Bobbie McCleery, Gabe’s mother. “His doctors have cleared him to play football again as long as his tumor doesn’t return and he takes precautions to protect his brain and head.
“Gabe’s a strong, determined guy. More than anything, he wants to get back out there playing football. He likes tackling and running. He just likes to play.”
A specially designed, $950 helmet from Seattle-based Vicis Inc. is expected to help allow Gabe to play.
Women's football team in Indiana to play its first season
Photo via Mike Wolanin/The Republic
The Republic in Columbus, Indiana, tells the story of the Columbus Vanguards, a female football team that'll play its first game Saturday against the Flint City Riverters at Knightstown High School, home of one of last year's USA Football Power of Football teams.
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“I have five older brothers who love football,” said Kendra Pastrick, a senior at Columbus East High School, another 2017 Power of Football school. “They all played, but my parents protected me and wouldn’t let me play football against boys. I’ve played fast-pitch softball for several years. When I heard there was a women’s tackle football team starting up in Columbus, I wanted to be a part of it right away.”
Part of the Women's Football Alliance, the team is co-owned by safety Brittany Langley, and her mother and stepfather, Robin and Ken Haworth. Ken is also the team’s head coach.
“Whenever someone makes a big play in practice, it’s a fatherly moment for me,” Ken said. “In most cases, I’m the only coach these women have ever had, and so I’m responsible for breaking down the game and teaching it to them. They have listened so well.”