Tampa Bay Bucs Visit MacDill

Sean Baker, a National Football League Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety, dons a bite suit assisted by military working dogs handlers during a K-9 demonstration at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., June 15, 2012. Players from the Bucs toured MacDill and experienced some of the daily operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melissa V. Paradise/Released)

Tampa Bay Bucs Visit MacDill

Members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tour the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration air craft at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., June 15, 2012. Players from the Bucs toured MacDill and experienced some of the daily operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melissa V. Paradise/RELEASED/cropped for point of interest)

Tampa Bay Bucs Visit MacDill

Members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers watch a military working dog demonstration at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., June 15, 2012. Players from the Bucs toured MacDill and experienced some of the daily operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melissa V. Paradise/RELEASED/cropped for point of interest)

Buc rookies visit MacDill

Published June 22, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Sarah Breer
6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Becoming a professional football player is about more than making touchdowns or making tackles; young players also have to learn how to score points with their local community.
A bit of that special, off-the-field training took place at MacDill Friday, when several Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie players visited the base in the spirit of goodwill and exchange. They also visited a local elementary school.

Young men coming to the team from college often need help transitioning to being professional players, said Terry Cousin, the Buccaneers' director of player engagement. Players take courses covering a large assortment of subjects, including etiquette, stress management, adjustment and marriage, and relationship counseling in order to become successful.
Players are pushed to learn all they can and to learn who they are, because they are instant stars as National Football League players, Cousin said. They also are encouraged to give back to the community that supports them by volunteering.

Defensive tackle Jordan Nix enjoys being able to give back to the community. In addition to touring MacDill, Nix and the other rookies recently visited an elementary school.
"Talking to the kids is my passion," said Nix. "It is good to put a smile on their faces."

While on base the players visited the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, toured a KC-135, experienced the military working dogs and walked through PharmaCare.
Safety Sean Baker volunteered to demonstrate what the working dogs are capable of by putting on personal protection equipment and allowing one of the dogs to take him down.
Apex, one of the 12 working dogs that call MacDill home, was released as Baker ran from him. Apex took Baker down in one swift movement.

"That was fun," said Baker. "It was a rush. I didn't know when he was going to get me. I was thinking, 'why did I do this?' When he bit my leg I felt the pressure of his bite, but not his teeth through the suit."

The other players enjoyed watching their teammate interact with the working dogs, Nix said, it was his favorite part of the day.

Supporting the community they work in is important for the newest Buccaneers. Visiting MacDill as well as other places around the community sets the players up for success as role models.