NFL Coaching Legends' Tom Coughlin, Bill Cowher, Jeff Fisher, Jon Gruden and John Harbaugh Step Off the Sidelines and Into the Combat Zone on USO Tour to Persian Gulf
On July 1st, New York Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin, Former Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Bill Cowher, Tennessee Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher, Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden and Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of a week-long USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour. Focused on bringing troops a touch of home and boosting morale, the group is forgoing all holiday plans to trek to the combat zone and talk football with America’s heroes. The group will also sign autographs, pose for photos and share their experiences on the sidelines.
Tour Highlights
» USO Tour Day 1: The right team
» USO Tour Day 2: A time of transition in Iraq
» USO Tour Day 3: Sleeping in Saddam’s former palaceq
» USO Tour Day 4: One to remember
» USO Tour Summary: Some final thoughts
» Baltimore Ravens Tour Blog: John Harbaugh Writes From the NFL-USO Coaches Tour
» Jon Gruden Tour Blog: Gruden on NFL-USO Coaches Tour
USO Photo by Mike Theiler
Want more? Check out video footage and news articles highlighting the tour.
FOX & FRIENDS INTERVIEW w/ Gen. Odierno and NY Giants head coach Tom Coughlin
NFL VIDEO DIARY: Meeting the troops
NFL VIDEO DIARY: Coaches USO Tour, Day 2
Tom Coughlin makes an unforgettable trip to Iraq for the Fourth of July weekend
Trip of a lifetime
Harbaugh inspired by U.S. troops during Iraq tour
NFL coaches visit troops in Iraq in first USO trip
Jeff Fisher packs bags for Persian Gulf trip
Coughlin orders General to move
Fisher to Participate in Inaugural NFL-USO Coaches Tour to Persian Gulf
Harbaugh set for biggest road trip of year
Tom Coughlin, Others Head to Middle East to Visit U.S. Troops
Respect for Harbaugh rises; Manny, not so much
Drew Brees, Donnie Edwards and Billy Miller Touchdown in Guantanamo Bay on USO Tour
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Donnie Edwards and New Orleans Saints tight end Billy Miller visited troops stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, June 26 - 29. This marks the fourth USO tour for Brees, the third for Edwards and is the second trip for Miller.
USO Photo by Mike Clifton
NFL Players Jared Allen, Danny Clark, Larry Fitzgerald and Will Witherspoon Visit Troops on Annual USO Tour to Persian Gulf
On Tuesday, March 3nd, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, New York Giants linebacker Danny Clark, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and St. Louis Rams linebacker Will Witherspoon made their way to the Persian Gulf to visit and spend time with troops as part of a USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour. Traveling to the region to boost troop morale, the group will visit military posts, sign autographs and pose for pictures. The group will also talk football and share their experiences on the field.
Tour Highlights
» Day 1: After long trip, NFL stars arrive in Kuwait
» Day 2: Running into old friends in the middle of the desert
» Day 3: Planes, helicopters and automobiles on Day 3
» Day 4: A meet-and-greet session with soldiers
» Day 5: Largest troop gathering of this year's tour
» Day 6: In awe of Navy SEALs on Day 6
» Danny Clark Tour Blog: Giants’ Clark touches down in Iraq
USO Photo by Dave Gatley
Want more? Check out news features highlighting the tour.
Clark meets real heroes
Sports Illustrated and Peter King
LB Danny Clark on NFL-USO Tour
Larry Fitzgerald bumps into cousin serving in Kuwait
The NFL Visits Camp Ramadi, Iraq
Giants LB Danny Clark, three others, to visit the troops
Jared Allen, Fitzgerald to visit troops in Persian Gulf
Vikings DE Allen to visit troops
Vikings’ Allen to visit troops
Minnesota Vikings' Jared Allen has personal reason for USO tour to Mideast
Roger Goodell, Drew Brees, Osi Umenyiora, Milo Ventimiglia, Jack Lengyel and Two Members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to Accompany Admiral Mike Mullen to Travel Overseas to Visit Troops in the Persian Gulf
Day 1: Commissioner Goodell, Brees, and Umenyiora to go on USO tour
Day 2: Sandstorms and big rigs? Roger that!
Day 4: The road to Kabul
Day 5: Ups and downs
Day 6: Proud to say thank you
USO photos by Dave Gatley
Want more? Check out video footage from the tour.
NFL Network Footage
Truveo Videos
DVIDS B-Roll Footage
July 10, 2008 - NFL Stars USO Visit in Afghanistan
July 9, 2008 - NFL Stars Tour Iraq With USO
July 9, 2008 - CJCS Roll Call
NFL Players Drew Brees, Donnie Edwards and Billy Miller Embark on USO Tour to Japan and Okinawa
On Saturday, March 8, 2008, Drew Brees and Billy Miller of the New Orleans Saints, and Donnie Edwards of the Kansas City Chiefs traveled to Japan and embarked on a week-long USO tour to spend quality time with those in uniform and extend America’s gratitude. While traveling in the Pacific, the NFL players posed for pictures with troops stationed at Yokosuka Navy Base and signed autographs for military personnel assigned to Okinawa’s Kadena Air Base, amongst many other activities. This is the second USO tour for Brees and Donnie, and the first for Miller.
USO photo by Mike Theiler
USO Deploys Three NFL Stars to the Persian Gulf to Spend Time with Service Members
On Sunday, March 2nd Luis Castillo of the San Diego Chargers, Tommie Harris of the Chicago Bears and Michael Rucker of the Carolina Panthers embarked on a seven-day USO tour to the Persian Gulf. Joining the NFL players was “Sports Illustrated” writer Peter King. So far, the group signed autographs and entertained troops stationed at the Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan as well as toured military aircraft and shook hands with service members at the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.
USO Photo by Michael A. Clifton
Everybody we’ve encountered, whether they’re a commanding officer or they’re just an airmen that just joined up and have only been here for a couple weeks, everybody has been so energetic and happy to see us. They’re such genuine, good people.
– Everybody we’ve encountered, whether they’re a commanding officer or they’re just an airmen that just joined up and have only been here for a couple weeks, everybody has been so energetic and happy to see us. They’re such genuine, good people. .
Tour Highlights
» Day 1: Arriving in Kyrgyzstan
» Day 2: Karaoke at Pete's Tavern
» Day 3: Pat Tillman's Afghanistan legacy
» Luis Castillo blog: A cultural shock
» Castillo blog: Humbling experience
» Peter King's tour diary