Alex Mack, the Cleveland Browns center who played locally at San Marcos High, made a trip to Afghanistan in March as part the NFL’s USO program that sends players oversees to visit with U.S. troops.
The Browns posted a video with some highlights from Mack’s trip.
Video footage shows Mack meeting with troops and moving from base to base in a helicopter. In one scene, Mack takes shooting practice with a 50-caliber machine gun and other weaponry.
“It’s been a really great trip,” Mack says in the video. “Combined with all the cool things I’ve gotten to do, all the things I’ve gotten to see. The helicopter flights. Seeing the troops, getting to say hi to them.
“It’s been incredible. I feel really blessed to be able to come out here and show our appreciation.”
The NFL chooses select players for the trip and those taken are team leaders and active in the community.
Mack has played in every game for the Browns since being drafted out of Cal in the first round of the 2009 draft.
Mack was All-CIF in football and wrestling while at San Marcos, graduating in 2005.
