Projo Sports Blog

Four NFL players, including the New England Patriots Benjamin Watson, will continue an NFL-USO tradition initiated more than 40 years ago when they embark March 4 on visits to U.S. troops at military bases throughout the Persian Gulf.

Watson, Atlanta Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler, Kansas City Chiefs guard Will Shields and Tampa Bay Bucaneers linebacker Shelton Quarles will team up to meet and greet the troops in the annual renewal of the NFL-USO program that began in 1966.

In 1965, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle -- seeking ways to demonstrate the league's support for America's fighting forces -- conceived of the idea of sending NFL players to Vietnam on "goodwill tours." The following year, the NFL teamed with the USO and became the first sports organization to send a group of players to Vietnam and other parts of Asia.

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