Soldiers hit the gridiron alongside some of football’s all-time greats in the first ever Tostitos/USO ‘Salute the Troops" Bowl, which took place in Iraq in January 1.  Bruce Smith, Brian Bosworth, Joe Washington, Rocket Ismael, Tee Martin, and Ty Detmer were just a few of the players to suit up as “Team Freedom” (coached by Barry Switzer) against the Troops’ “Team Liberty” (coached by Tommy Bowden).

It was a tough game and a real nail-biter, with the winner being…  Oh, you didn’t think we were going to tell you that, did you?  You’re just going to have to check out the highlights of this first-of-its-kind game during half-time of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Jan 4, on FOX.  Check out some pics below and look for more on Monday!

[caption id=“attachment_534” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“(l-r) Former notable college football players and coaches Bruce Smith, Barry Switzer, Brian Bosworth, Rocket Ismail, Joe Washington, and Tommy Bowden sign autographs for soldiers at Camp Ali Al Salem in Kuwait December 29, 2009. They were visiting troops prior to the first-ever Tostitos "Salute the Troops” Bowl where soldiers played alongside the football greats on January 1, 2010. (USO Photo by Fred Greaves)“][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_539” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Legendary football coaches Tommy Bowden (l) and Barry Switzer ® give each other a hard time during a pep rally in Baghdad, Iraq December 31, 2009. Bowden and Switzer are coaching the opposing teams in the bowl game. (USO Photo by Fred Greaves)”][/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_537” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“College football great Brian Bosworth (3rd l) high-fives his military teammates during a pep rally in Baghdad, Iraq December 31, 2009. (USO Photo by Fred Greaves)”][/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_538” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Football legend Brian Bosworth (2nd l) stretches out with troops as a Humvee passes by in Baghdad, Iraq December 31, 2009. (USO Photo by Fred Greaves)”][/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_540” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Legendary college football quarterback Ty Detmer (14), playing for Team Freedom, passes under pressure from Team Liberty defender Sgt Eric Trubee of Marshfield, WI, during the first-ever Tostitos/USO “Salute the Troops” Bowl, where legendary college football players played alongside troops in Baghdad, Iraq, January 1, 2010. Also in the photo is football great Tony Casillas (92). (USO Photo by Fred Greaves)”][/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_536” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Team Liberty huddles as troops watch in front of MRAP’s during the first-ever Tostitos "Salute the Troops” Bowl where legendary college football players played alongside troops in Baghdad, Iraq January 1, 2010. (USO Photo by Fred Greaves)“][/caption]