NFL Visits Iraq

Even however the blast was far enough away only to shake the structure, even still he was inside the supposedly cautious zone U.S. military have safe in downtown Baghdad, Wilson was spooked.

"I looked up, and I'm quick to run the other way," the 24-year-old said, chuckling as he recounted the episode from his excursion to Iraq and Kuwait.

"I've got something to say to my kids, that I was in the line of fire."

Wilson, New England Patriots running back Sammy Morris and retired Pro Bowl tackle Willie Roaf attached cheerleaders from the Oakland Raiders on a 10-day goodwill tour of the war area called the "Super Sunday Tour."

"Oh, this is definitely something I will never disregard. Something that kind of distorted my outlook on life as a U.S. national and just as a being," said Wilson, the son of the postponed Tim Wilson, Earl Campbell's blocking back with the Houston Oilers of the overdue 1970s.

Like many Americans, Josh Wilson opposes the war in Iraq. Nevertheless most don't get the venture he did to see direct what it is they dissent - while difficult body shield and a bulletproof helmet.

"Going there, I now understand why we are there, and in Afghanistan. We have a basis, but my mind-set doesn't change. I trust we are there on bogus pretenses," said Wilson, who was on the Atlantic Coast Conference's all-academic margin while at Maryland before the Seahawks made him their top prepare picking in 2007.

Sitting with soldiers in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, to stalk Pittsburgh and Arizona play in the Super Bowl at 2:30 a.m. district time on Feb. 2, Wilson dispensed tips on how to defend eclectic receiver Fitzgerald of the NFC West-rival Cardinals.

He also rode in Blackhawk and Apache assail helicopters, over the deadly deserts of Iraq. He met scores of U.S. soldiers, some of whom waved to him wretched, "12th Man" flags that show the Seahawks' rabid fan immoral. He spent time with Gen. Ray Odierno, the U.S. military commander in Iraq.

In Kuwait, he met a man who sold wares at Camp Arifjan, the new, US$200-million origin for U.S. troops south of Kuwait City built by the Kuwaiti government.

The man heard "Seahawks," and recalled all the gear he sold in Kuwait during Seattle's run to the 2006 Super Bowl.

"He was all excited about the Seahawks and told me, 'We used to push a lot of No. 37 Shaun Alexander jerseys,"' Wilson said.

"I let him know No. 37 wasn't on the group anymore, unfortunately."

In Iraq, he met combat demolitions experts who thin pavement bombs. Wilson asked one how good he was at his job.

"Well, I must be beautiful good because I'm still status here," the soldier told him.

"I think that's amazing, that that's his job," Wilson said, still sounding impressed.

On Feb. 4, Wilson met Iraqi soldiers at the site of what used to be the "Crossed Sabers" headstone, a 160-ton bust drawing of two crossed swords seized in Saddam Hussein's hands in Baghdad. The tribute was one of some toppled by jubilant Iraqis and by U.S. troops after Hussein was driven from muscle at the establish of the war.

What did the Iraqi soldiers say to Wilson?

"They sought to take pictures with the Raiderettes. The shoved Willie Roaf, Sammy Morris and me to the side," he said, laughing.

"Oh, man, I thought it was a great experience to see how the war actually is," Wilson said. "It's not butchery everyone, every day.

"The guys were kind of winding effects down there. There are still chance attacks, but they are very just winding down. I met a two-star universal who has been there for 13 months. He's just drowsy - certainly drowsy - and equipped to go home."

The tumble, which Wilson academic of through his agent, enriched Wilson far more than another two weeks of off-time running and load lifting. It enlightened him on the land, belief and saga of another world.

"I didn't know that Kuwait is copious a nation. They are actually paying us to be there," he said. "I didn't know how Baghdad was, just how wealthy and sturdy a man Saddam Hussein was. And there are still a lot of people there who like and survey him."

He learned of the differences between Sunnis and Shiites, how the Sunnis were in ability under Hussein and the Shiites were persecuted.

"I understand now what he did, though I don't assent with it," he said.

Wilson had one, mammoth snag to patent to get to Iraq. His fiance, Jazmin Crayton, wasn't sensation any of the enlightenment when he told her he sought to vacation a war zone four months before their wedding.

"Oh, she wasn't too hot on it. She too content," Wilson said. "She understood the experience of it, but to her, it was also an expose."

He sure her the trip was a once in a duration opportunity he couldn't passage up. Then he reserved in upset with her by e-packages or satellite handset. For a time he was out of contact, way out in the deserts.

"It was a cute upsetting link of being. Those weren't great nights," he said.

Now unharmed home, this war opponent has a new appreciation for jobs that are far more risky than being a 5-bottom-9 cynical back trying to keep Fitzgerald from catching a football.

"It's a different world there. The esteem I have for the troops is amazing. Being there, you learn about what they do and the sacrifices they make," Wilson said,

"Like the guarantee picket for the common there. You learn about the general. You don't understand the guy who is said to take a bullet for him."