Pitt football players enjoy trip to Fort Bliss

KVIA was granted access to follow the Pitt Panthers football team around Fort Bliss Friday afternoon as the players got a chance to interact with soldiers and learn a few new skills.

The Panthers were allowed to use various military simulators and were given the opportunity to take photos next to real life tanks once they were done learning a few tips of the trade in the virtual world.

The players were also greeted with brand new camouflage hats when they got off the team bus.

While many of the Panthers said they’ve had a great time at a variety of events so far in El Paso, the trip to Fort Bliss was something they had circled for quite a while.

“This is probably the most exciting part of the trip. Our coaches talked about it the most. They said this is probably going to be the most fun,” said Pitt linebacker Oluwaseun Idowu during his visit.

He added that the coaches not only wanted their players to thank the troops for their service, but to learn a few valuable lessons that they might be able to take to the gridiron.

“It’s an appreciation of them and also [a chance] for us to take the kind of discipline and commitment that they have for what they do into our sport,” Idowu said.

Pitt will meet Stanford at noon on Monday in the Sun Bowl game.

The Panthers were champions of the ACC Coastal Division this season but fell in the ACC title game against Clemson.