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Hall of Fame Quarterback, NASCAR Driver Visit Pentagon
Story Number: NNS030814-11
Release Date: 8/14/2003 3:58:00 PM
By Chief Journalist Walter T. Ham IV, Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- During a recent visit to the Pentagon, the Navy’s racing team visited the Sailors they represent on the track.
NASCAR driver Casey Atwood, National Football League (NFL) Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw and Armando Fitz of the FitzBradshaw Racing team toured the Pentagon and signed autographs for fans. Bradshaw and Atwood also ate lunch with Sailors to show their appreciation for the men and women they represent. One of those Sailors, Airman Danny Mathenia, was thrilled to break bread with the legendary quarterback and the NASCAR driver.
“Terry Bradshaw and Casey Atwood are both awesome,” said Mathenia, a San Bernadino, Calif., native, adding that the representation of the FitzBradshaw Racing Team “builds better morale for everybody in the Navy.”
Bradshaw and his FitzBradshaw Racing Team partner, Fitz, own the blue and silver Number 14 Navy car, which serves as a retention and recruiting vehicle for the Navy. The car was on display in the Pentagon Courtyard during their visit.
Bradshaw, a four-time Super Bowl champion and Fox Sports football commentator, said he has the utmost respect for Sailors and is proud to be associated with the Navy.
“It's an exciting program,” said Bradshaw. “It's a perfect fit.”
According to Atwood, racing requires a great deal of teamwork, similar to the teamwork the Navy displays around the globe and around the clock.
“The driver, the equipment, the people, and having a good sponsor – you've got to have it all come together,” said Atwood, who at 22 is the youngest driver on the Busch Series. He added that he has witnessed this same kind of teamwork and esprit de corps during his visits with the Navy.
Bradshaw said that he has a message for those who serve their country in uniform.
“No one appreciates the entire military more so than I do,” he said. “Trust me, we respect you. We have the greatest deal of admiration for your job, [and] your courage defending this great nation of ours. What you’re doing is not easy to do.”
“Not a day goes by that we don't think about you and the tremendous pressure you're under, and how the job you're doing is so admirable, and we're very, very proud of you.”
Their Pentagon visit followed a recent embark aboard the Los Angeles-class, fast-attack submarine USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720).
As a part of the sponsorship deal, Atwood will represent the Navy in eight Busch Series races and one Winston Cup Series race between Memorial Day and Nov. 30.
For related news, visit the Chief of Naval Operations Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cno.
For more on the Chief of Naval Operations, go to www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/index.html.
Journalist 3rd Class Robert Sekula, Naval Media Center, contributed to this article.
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