Peter King in Afghanistan

[sandtrapjack]

I was in Afghanistan in 2004 and 2005, stationed primarily in Kabul but made frequent trips to Bagram, K-Har and Herat.

During my time there I was fortunate to witness the dedication and grand opening of the (then NEW) Pat Tillman USO center at the passenger terminal at Bagram AB. There were 3 NFL stars scheduled to attend the dedication. Warrick Dunn, Larry Izzo and Ben Rothlisberger. Don't know what came up, but "Big Ben" did not make the trip but Izzo and Dunn were there.

Very emotional ceremony and Dunn and Izzo were visibly moved. After the ribbon cutting, they brought out a big box full of "mini footballs" and Izzo and Dunn started throwing them randomly into the crowd of troops gathered there.

As I was taking pictures of this I felt a solid "THUD" strike my armor vest near my left shoulder. I thought I has just been shot. Just before I was going to scream in panic I looked down and on the ground next to my left boot was a ring.....It was Larry Izzos Super Bowl ring. Apparently it had come off while he was tossing a ball.

I picked up the ring, put it on my left ring finger and took a quick picture of it. When I returned his ring to him, Izzo thanked me and autographed one of the mini footballs for me.

It is a great distraction from the day-to-day over there when celebs like that come for a visit. And I for one appreciated it.