Deployed Missouri Guardsman plays flag football with NFL greats

By Matthew J. Wilson
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

BALAD, IRAQ - A deployed Missouri National Guardsman from Lebanon was recently part of a group of service members who could get some national television time after he participated in a flag football game with former NFL greats.

Staff Sgt. Landon Hall earned a spot on Team Freedom to play against Team Liberty in the Tostitos Salute the Troops Connect to Home Bowl, a United Service Organizations event. Footage from the game and interviews from the participating service members could be aired during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl between BCS No. 7 Oklahoma and the University of Connecticut, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Jan. 1.

Hall is part of an 11-member section of the Missouri Guard's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 135th Theater Aviation Battalion, of Lebanon, which is more than halfway through its one-year deployment to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, in support of Operation New Dawn.

Hall called playing with and against NFL Hall of Famers like quarterback Jim Kelly and running back Thurman Thomas, both of the Buffalo Bills, and Super Bowl XXXI champion Antonio Freeman, a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, the opportunity of a lifetime.

"The whole experience was really something like a dream that actually happened," Hall said. "I always wanted to play football my whole life and getting the opportunity to play with actual NFL stars was amazing. This will be a memory of a lifetime."

The other former NFL stars to participate were linebacker LaVar Arrington, running back Ron Dayne, defensive end Jevon Kearse, quarterback Rodney Peete, wide receiver Andre Reed, and linebacker Zach Thomas. The teams were coached by NCAA coaching greats Bobby Bowden and Gene Stallings.

"After the game, I had all the NFL players and the coaches sign my jersey for a great memory," Hall said.

Stallings was the coach for Hall's Team Freedom.

"His words before the game were very simple," Hall said. "This game if for you. Play the game and have fun."

Hall praised those responsible for the game.

"The USO and Tostitos really did a good job with the set up and everything," Hall said of the game that was played at Killeen Field. "For them to put on an event like this to support all our troops, to help them connect to home in such a way, was phenomenal."

To earn a spot on one of the rosters, Hall, who played linebacker, defensive end and fullback for the Lebanon High School football team from 2000 to 2002, attended an open NFL-Combine-type camp where he competed in a 40-yard dash and an agility test that involved running back and forth among three cones. Hall won the agility test and took second in the 40-yard dash. He attributed some of his success to his Guard physical fitness training.

"Rather than not living an active lifestyle, the Guard has helped me keep my fitness level really high," said Hall, who has played football for many years growing up and has always loved the sport. "The physical fitness test for an active Guard member is twice a year. Having to maintain a passing Army Physical Fitness Test throughout my time in the Guard has really kept me in shape to maintain my physical activities.

During the game, Hall played wide receiver, offensive line and linebacker.

"I mostly lined up against LaVar Arrington, with him rushing to get to the quarterback almost every play," Hall said. "I had a couple catches and some defended pass plays, but nothing spectacular."

Team Freedom, Hall's squad, was edged 48-42 on the final play of the game.

"The game was very intense and was very close," Hall said.

Hall said the NFL players and coaches were very gracious to the service members throughout the event.

"We basically talked to them about many things," Hall said. "All players were very nice and wanted to thank us for all we did as well."

One conversation with Freeman, about his then Super Bowl record 81-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Brett Favre in Super Bowl XXXI, stood out to Hall.

"He said that he never thought that he would be actually catching a pass for a touchdown in the Super Bowl," Hall said. "He talked about how he got to spend the time with the team on the field celebrating and in the locker room, and then his walk with his family around the stadium afterwards was just the best time to reflect and enjoy his victory with his family."

Freeman even showed off his Super Bowl ring.

"Let me tell you, that ring was huge," Hall said. "I could only imagine being able to say I played in a Super Bowl and got the ring."

If the Department of Defense approved, Hall might have had a shot to be flown to the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., by Tostitos, where he would be reunited with his Family for the game. Unfortunately, even if it gets approved, Hall would be unable to go because one of the caveats requires that the service member would use his two weeks of leave for the trip.

"I would have loved the opportunity to do this, but I have already taken my leave," Hall said.

Still, Hall has no regrets about participating in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as a member of the Missouri National Guard.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.