Posted at 1:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 29, 2008
NFL: Elam makes trip to visit U.S. troops in Iraq
Advertiser Staff
Jason Elam, a former Hawaii kicker and all-pro with the Denver Broncos, will visit United States troops in Iraq from Jan. 28 to Feb. 8, on a goodwill military Super Sunday Tour in celebration of the Super Bowl."I jumped at the opportunity to participate in this visit to Iraq," says Elam, who played for UH from 1989-92. "I have a brother in the Army and have nothing but respect for the men and women serving overseas. This seemed like a great way to express my support firsthand."
Organized by Pro Sports MVP, Elam will be joined on the 10-day tour by Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Dwight, former Oakland Raiders offensive guard Steve Wisniewski, and Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders Sarah Johnson and Krisandra Shimpa.
The tour group will watch the New England Patriots play the New York Giants with troops in the wee hours of the morning in Iraq.
Elam, who recently released his first novel "Monday Night Jihad" co-authored with Steve Yohn, will be signing copies of his book during the tour.
Elam's novel has a strong military theme as the central character Riley Covington is an Air Force Academy graduate who fulfills his military commitment serving in Air Forces Special Ops in Afghanistan and then goes on to play professional football. A terrorist attack on his home turf pulls Covington back into his Special Ops life. Elam based the character on former Air Force graduates Steve Russ, Chad Henning and Chis Gizzi. Elam will write a blog and post pictures from the tour on the website www.mondaynightjihad.com.
