GRAFENWÖHR, Germany – Who better to cheer for Cowboys than a bunch of soldiers in Stetsons?
Soldiers with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment at Rose Barracks will give a shout-out for Thursday’s draft coverage by the NFL Network, cheering for — who else? — the Dallas Cowboys. Team owner Jerry Jones may also interview two fans from the post during live coverage, according to the unit and the network.
With technical support from the military’s video distribution arm, the Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System, or DVIDs, the regiment will tape several dozen of its soldiers, all Cowboys fans, cheering before a pair of Strykers in front of regimental headquarters around 10 p.m. Thursday, Central European time, said the regimental public affairs officer, Maj. Rob Hoover.
As network anchor Rich Eisen interviews Jones later in the broadcast, the team owner is expected to thank soldiers for their service, as well as their support for the Cowboys, according to Bill Landers, director of media operations for the network. He may also ask a few questions to two of the fans, married couple Sgt. Rachael Valdez, a supply specialist with the regiment, and Sgt. Elliot Valdez, an American Forces Network broadcaster.
“It’s just exciting, and it’ll make them part of the draft,” Landers said in a phone interview.
He said anchors will cut to a live shot of a Fort Hood unit later in the broadcast as the Cowboys make their first-round pick in the 14th slot. They may also show taped footage of the 2CR soldiers cheering at the same time.
He said he approached DVIDs about the broadcast after the network did something similar for last year’s draft.
Hoover said he offered the unit after seeing DVIDS’ request.
“We’re a cavalry regiment,” he said. “It’s the Cowboys — we wear Stetsons.”
