Sun Bowl Teams Tour Ft. Bliss Facilities
FT. BLISS, Texas The first edition of Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl game is right around the corner and preparations are in full swing. While Arizona State and Florida State gear up to face each other in the 86th edition of the Sun Bowl game, both teams are also getting an opportunity to tour the city.
Today, was Ft. Bliss was on the docket, so these players could get a first hand experience of the military while they are in town. Players from ASU and FSU got to tour the Close Combat Tactical Trainer. A simulator designed to give soldiers a competitive edge on the battle field, using tanks and other heavy machinery.
"The simulator is so cool, it kind of felt like real life you got to go three sixty and the whole thing didnt matter where you were turning didnt matter where you were looking," and ASU full back said.
While the simulators worked as a way to decompress from the stress of preparing for a bowl game, there was also a valuable lesson to be learned. These football players got to work alongside men and women who have decided to serve the country they love, many of them close in age to the players.
"It's weird because we are the same age, and yet they are here training to be in the military and I am out here training to play football I know it is something that they love to do its kind of cool that we are following the same paths," a player said.
Every player ABC-7 spoke with expressed a debt of gratitude towards the Ft. Bliss personnel. Many of them were seen shaking hands with soldiers and providing autographs for those who requested them. For Ft. Bliss officials, this is one of the days they look forward to the most on the job.
"It really brings a sense of pride for me when I get to train these guys every day if they can take a little bit of something home with them to help them that's great, I hope these players will understand what these soldiers go through every day because its really important that they know that," a Ft. Bliss official said.
