Fox NFL Kick Off Crew Celebrating Veterans day at Fort Benning
The Maneuver Center of Excellence Band plays during a Veterans Day football event at Fort Benning, Georgia. Broadcasting live from Fort Benning, Georgia, the Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fox NFL Sunday celebrated Veterans Day and the centennial of Armistice Day with Soldiers and their Families at York Field in front of the Headquarters Building Nov. 11. (U.S. Army photo by Patrick Albright, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning Public Affairs)
Broadcasting live from Fort Benning, Georgia, the Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fox NFL Sunday celebrated Veterans Day and the centennial of Armistice Day with Soldiers and their Families at York Field in front of the Headquarters Building Nov. 11.
The Fox NFL Sunday team – co-hosts Curt Menefee and Terry Bradshaw and analysts Howie Long, Michael Strahan and Jimmy Johnson and sportswriter Jay Glazer – had their studio set up with Soldiers and their helicopters and armored vehicles set up behind them.
They taped the pre-game, halftime and post-game shows there, performed with football skirmishes with the Soldiers there, tossed footballs to the Soldiers, and took photos with the Soldiers and Families.
The hosts and analysts talked up several football games, including the Cincinnati Bengals hosting the New Orleans Saints, the Cleveland Browns hosting the Atlanta Falcons, and the Chicago Bears hosting the Detroit Lions.
They were also joined by the Fox NFL Kickoff program with host Charissa Thompson and analysts Michael Vick, Dave Wannstedt, Tony Gonzalez and Peter Schrager, who not only talked up the forthcoming slate of games, but also talked about Fort Benning and its 100-year history.
Broadcasting live from Fort Benning, Georgia, the Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fox NFL Sunday celebrated Veterans Day and the centennial of Armistice Day with Soldiers and their Families at York Field in front of the Headquarters Building Nov. 11. (U.S. Army photo by Patrick Albright, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning Public Affairs)
The Veterans Day / Armistice Day event is the final in a series of celebrations of Fort Benning’s Centennial. The Army founded Camp Benning in 1918 as the home of the U.S. Army Infantry School after the members of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce petitioned officials in Washington during World War I. Shortly thereafter, Nov. 11, 1918, the war ended, but Fort Benning continued to prepare Soldiers for combat and to modernize the Army.
“It’s very humbling to be here and see the immense scope of this base in person really is awe-inspiring,” said Thompson of her visit. “What a weekend this has been, to be here with the amazing Soldiers we have met and their Families!”
Wannstedt, formerly a coach of the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, recounted how his father was an Infantry Soldier who had served during World War II.
“Yesterday, Mike (Michael Vick) and Peter (Schlager) and I were on our tour, and we see the house on the base where General Patton stayed, it brought it really close to home for me,” said Wannstedt.
The Soldiers there for the broadcast cheered and clapped for the cameras. The Maneuver Center of Excellence Band played “The Star-Spangled Banner” and other musical pieces.
Between the live portions of the broadcast, the producers played several pre-taped segments, including one about the mission of Fort Benning.
“Fort Benning has a very, very important mission for the Army,” said Brito in a video for the “Kickoff” program. “We train Soldiers, develop leaders and help modernize the force.
“The primary mission hasn’t changed, and that’s to support readiness,” continued Brito, “and the uniforms may be different, the boots may be different, but that young Soldier decides to serve and take that oath, they are doing something very important for the country, and I know that they’ll continue to in the future.”
Professional football analyst for Fox NFL Sunday and former defensive end Michael Strahan eats with Soldiers of the 194th Armored Brigade at Kuoma Dining Facility at Harmony Church at Fort Benning, Georgia, Nov. 10. Broadcasting live from Fort Benning, Georgia, the Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fox NFL Sunday celebrated Veterans Day and the centennial of Armistice Day with Soldiers and their Families at York Field in front of the Headquarters Building Nov. 11. (U.S. Army photo by Patrick Albright, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning Public Affairs)
Over the weekend, the crews took tours of Fort Benning. Long, Johnson, Strahan, Menefee and Bradshaw served food to Soldiers at Kouma Dining Facility at Harmony Church and ate with and visited with Soldiers of the 194th Armored Brigade. The crew also visited the National Infantry Museum, which tells the history of the Infantry Soldier. The crew of former professional football players and coaches also taught several pointers to the Fort Benning Bengals, a team of Fort Benning middle school students, at the historic Doughboy Stadium on post.
Professional football analysts for Fox NFL Sunday step behind the line and serve the soldiers of Fort Benning.
Story by: Bryan Gatchell – Fort Benning Public Affairs
Photos by: Patrick Albright
To see more photos of the Veterans Day event, visit www.fortbenningphotos.com/Ceremonies-and-Events/Historic-or-Significant-Events/2018-11-10-FOX-Sports-NFL-Sunday-Veterans-Day-Salute