By Bill Bradley, contributing editor
Having dealt with multiple concussions in the field, Army Sergeant First Class Jason Manella shared advice with young players about how to play football in a safe manner during the All-American Bowl earlier this year.
"Having sustained several concussions overseas," he said, "I can talk to them about seeking medical attention any time they have a head injury or a concussion on the field."
The All-American Bowl is an all-star game scheduled every January in San Antonio's Alamo Dome and features some of the best high school players in the country. Some of the participants use the event to announce their college choice.
Manella also told the athletes and participating marching band members about what the Army has to offer.
"We discuss with them things about the Army. We dispel rumors," he said. "We tell them what basic training is like. We talk about what jobs there are.
"We tell them the Army is more than carrying a rifle around. There are more than 150 different career opportunities in various fields, from combat infantryman to aerospace engineer."