The ex-Browns star running back is just one representative of the Orange and Brown in the most recent NFL USO tour of the middle east. D'Qwell Jackson is also there, along with ex-coach Eric Mangini.
Here's the press release from the NFL:
Three former NFL players and a former NFL executive continue an NFL-USO tradition initiated more than 45 years ago as they prepare to take part in a weeklong USO tour to visit U.S. troops at military bases throughout the Middle East.
ESPN NFL analyst and former President and Vice Chairman of the Indianapolis Colts BILL POLIAN, former line backers CHRIS DRAFT and DONNIE EDWARDS, and former running back ERIC METCALF will travel to the Middle East to spend time with service members. This will mark the fifth USO tour for Edwards, who has traveled to several countries since 2007 and the first for Draft, Metcalf, and Polian.
The trip will mark the second NFL-USO tour of the year. In March, Denver Broncos cornerback CHAMP BAILEY, Cleveland Browns linebacker D’QWELL JACKSON, Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard DAVIN JOSEPH, Broncos linebacker VON MILLER, Carolina Panthers wide receiver STEVE SMITH and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. WATT traveled to the Middle East to spend time with service members. The group traveled to remote locations throughout the region, dining with soldiers, greeting military personnel and signing autographs.
In 1966, 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 to demonstrate the league’s support for America’s troops. Since then, NFL icons including COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL, TERRY BRADSHAW, LARRY CSONKA, FRANCO HARRIS, HOWIE LONG, DON MEREDITH, LYNN SWANN and JOHNNY UNITAS have visited troops on NFL-USO tours in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Kuwait and Somalia.
Last year, current and former NFL coaches BILL COWHER, LESLIE FRAZIER, BEN KOTWICA, AND ERIC MANGINI spent July 4th in Afghanistan as part of the fourth annual NFL-USO Coaches tour to show their appreciation to service members.
