Hall of Fame quarterback, NASCAR driver visit Pentagon

Profile: Life in the Armed Forces, Dec, 2003

WASHINGTON -- National Football League Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw and NASCAR drivers Casey Atwood and Armando Fitz toured the Pentagon and signed autographs for fans.

Bradshaw and his FitzBradshaw Racing Team partner, Fitz, own the Navy sponsored silver Number 14 car, which they displayed to fans in the Pentagon Courtyard during their visit.

Bradshaw, a four-time Super Bowl champion and Fox Sports football commentator, said he has the utmost respect for sailors and is proud to be associated with the Navy.

"No one appreciates the entire military more so than I do," Bradshaw said. "Trust me, we respect you. We have the greatest deal of admiration for your job, [and] your courage defending this great nation of ours.

"Not a day goes by that we don't think about you and the tremendous pressure you're under, and how the job you're doing is so admirable, and we're very, very proud of you."

Bradshaw and Atwood ate lunch with sailors during the visit. One sailor, Airman Danny Mathenia, was thrilled to break bread with the legendary quarterback and the NASCAR driver.

"Terry Bradshaw and Casey Atwood are both awesome," said Mathenia, a San Bernadino, Calif., native, adding that the representation of the FitzBradshaw Racing Team "builds better morale for everybody in the Navy."

According to Atwood, racing requires a great deal of teamwork, similar to the teamwork the Navy displays around the globe and around the clock.

"The driver, the equipment, the people, and having a good sponsor, you've got to have it all come together," said Atwood.

He added that he has witnessed this same kind of teamwork and esprit de corps during his visits with the Navy.

As a part of the sponsorship deal, Atwood will represent the Navy in eight Busch Series races and one Winston Cup Series race between Memorial Day and Nov. 30.

(Editor's Note: Navy Chief Walter T. Ham IV, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert Sekula contributed to this article.)