Former football star visits CAFB

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Powell
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
Retired National Football League Linebacker Kevin Greene paid a visit to Columbus Air Force Base Thursday.
Mr. Greene, whose friend Capt. Ryan Fleming graduated today with Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training class 07-06, came to visit the base for the graduates. In the mean time, he received a tour of the base and was able to see first hand how CAFB functions.
Mr. Greene started his day Thursday at the 14th Medical Group with a flight screening. He was then ushered to the wing mission brief. After his mission brief, Mr. Greene received a driving tour of the base.
The 48th Flying Training Squadron gave Mr. Greene his next brief on the T-1 Jayhawk aircraft that he would be taking flight in later that day.
He then had lunch at the Columbus Club with base fans. He also signed autographs and answered questions from CAFB personnel.
As a former captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and coming from a military background, Mr. Greene is used to a high tempo military life. His father spent 32 years in the military and fought in the Vietnam War, and his older brother was an Army Blackhawk pilot in the first Gulf War.
Mr. Greene recently took a trip to Iraq with the USO. When asked how his recent trip impacted him, he responded "it makes sacking Dan Marino and John Elway seem meaningless. You realize who the true heroes are."
In an article he wrote about his travels to Iraq, he wrote about the price of freedom, saying "freedom is not free; indeed freedom is bought and paid for by our young brave warriors, who are proud to call America their home."
"The way I can show my support is by going to Iraq and coming here to Columbus AFB and interact with the troops," he said.
During his 15-year football career, Mr. Greene played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saint Louis Rams and the Carolina Panthers. He also made a brief appearance in the World Wrestling Federation, when Hulk Hogan invited him to wrestle.