Playing with the pros: St. Louis Rams players drill with Team Scott Published June 24, 2009 By Senior Airman Andrew Davis 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- A group of rookies from the St. Louis Rams football team and Rams linebacker Chris Draft came to Scott Friday to learn about the base's mission and run football drills with members of Team Scott. The visit began with a tour of the air traffic control tower where the players were shown the day-to-day operations of the tower and briefed on the various missions of Team Scott. "I was just amazed by the things you guys do here," said Mr. Draft. "One of the things we got briefed on was the aeromedical mission and how it supports bringing wounded troops back home, it gave me a whole new respect for you guys and what you do out here." After the tower, the players took a windshield tour of the base before ending at the Airman Leadership School pavilion area where they were greeted by Team Scott members along with 140 Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets. The cadets, who were on base as part of a weeklong leadership camp held here, were from Alabama, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky and Missouri. "This is a great experience for these cadets to see the kinds of morale and welfare programs the Air Force puts on for its members," said Maj. Mike Conley, camp commandant and Dupo High School aerospace science instructor. "The camp in general is a way to show these young men and women what the Air Force has to offer in terms of quality of life benefits ranging from them staying in billeting to eating at the dining facility." Before the drills started the rookies socialized with Team Scott members and the cadets, signing autographs and asking questions about military life. Braving the heat and the humidity the rookies put everyone through the paces running practice drills which included throwing, tackling and defensive shuffling. The visit to Scott was one of three in the past year initiated by Mr. Draft as part of his foundations military salute initiative to thank men and women in uniform. "It was a good day and I know we all enjoyed coming out here," said Mr. Draft. "It can be hard sometimes, because what we both do is so serious, but getting a chance to take time to come out to the base is always a pleasure. "We do this as thanks to the base and all of the servicemembers who protect the American people and this nation so thank you," he added.