Hanscom hosts NFL, Wounded Warrior Project

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Members of Team Hanscom came together with the Wounded Warrior Project and the National Football League to participate in a flag football game here held to promote physical activity Sept. 5.

The event was part of the NFL’s season kickoff that takes place Sept. 7 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

“The NFL is much more than just football games. Everywhere we go we want to make sure that we are giving back to the communities that support us,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL vice president of social responsibility. “And one of the communities that is incredibly important to us is the military community, including the veteran community, and their families.”

Players wore flag football jerseys representing the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs, the two teams playing in the first game of the season.

Airman 1st Class Marcel Parker, a customer service technician for the 66th Comptroller Squadron, spoke about the experience following the game.

“It was an awesome experience, especially playing with the Wounded Warriors,” said Parker. “It was a great event to get everyone together and show our support for each other.”

The event also featured former NFL players Antonio Richardson and Max Lane, each with ties to the military. Richardson’s father is a retired U.S. Army sergeant major and Lane graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy.

Following the game, players, their families, guests and event staff came together during a post-game dinner.

“It’s not just any base that active duty Airmen have the opportunity to participate in a flag football game like this with members of the Wounded Warrior Project community,” said Col. Roman L. Hund, installation commander, who also participated in the game. “The event provided an opportunity for active duty Airmen and veterans to come together in a friendly non-contact game run by the NFL.”

In addition to the game, players participated in a Wounded Warrior Project-led pre- and post-game conditioning program that promoted physical health.

“One of the things with events like this is to get veterans together and bring back some of the [esprit de corps],” said retired U.S. Army Maj. Shannon B. Blake, a member of the WWP, who has participated in similar events before. “The biggest thing you can get out of this is being active, being fit and working on your mental and physical health.”

The Wounded Warrior Project serves veterans and service members who have suffered physical or mental injury during service in the military on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

The event was part of the NFL’s “Salute to Service” program that works with the United Service Organizations, or USO, the Pat Tillman Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project to honor and support members of the military.