NFL Stars Come out for USNS Mercy Sailors

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (NNS) -- Two football players from the New York Giants spent time aboard USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) Feb. 12.

Kurt Warner and Amani Toomer came aboard the San Diego-based hospital ship to visit with patients, and spend time talking to Sailors and volunteers.

“It was really cool of them to come all the way out here to see us,” said Gunner’s Mate 1st Class (SW) John Campbell. “I know the crew, especially the football fanatics, appreciates them posing for pictures and signing autographs.”

Both players, along with their wives, are working with the World Food Progam (WFP) to help feed families in Indonesia and Sri Lanka who have been affected by the tsunami. The WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian aid organization. The organization feeds an average of 90 million people a year worldwide.

Warner and Toomer spent time talking with patients through translators and brought smiles to many Indonesian patients who have never seen a professional athlete in person. The guests were given a tour of the Intensive Care Ward, which has some of the more critical patients aboard the ship.

Afterwards, the players went to the mess decks for autographs and pictures. They were greeted with a resounding applause from the Sailors and Project Hope volunteers aboard the ship. Warner and Toomer signed autographs and posed for pictures with Sailors, Project Hope volunteers and civil mariners for more than an hour.

"This is a great opportunity for us to actually spend time with the men and women of our armed forces who are making a difference across the world, and I am proud to be here with you,” said Warner.

For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/c7f.