A pair of star NFL players traveled to Israel as part of a campaign to introduce new training drills to the IDF.
Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson and free-agent cornerback Josh Norman participated in several of the military’s obstacle courses and took lessons in Krav Maga at Wingate Institute in Netanya, Israel, this week, Fox News reported.
The players were also working in cooperation with RoboActive #2069, an Israeli high school group that competes in the International FIRST Robotics Competition.
“It’s amazing to get in there and train with these guys because they are at the top of their game at being in combat,” Norman said afterward.
“To go through some of the training and see the focus that it takes, the mental toughness…it just gives you a different appreciation for the training they do on a daily basis,” Peterson added.
One of the drills included running up a steep hill in 40-pound packs. The players noted that the exercise was grueling and like “running in sand.”
The drills attempt teach soldiers how to prepare for battle mentally.
“We are proud of what we do to protect Israel and to have the opportunity to share with these athletes that play such an empowering and physical sport, the way in which we train IDF troops,” IDF Major Roi Yablochnik said during the press conference.
The players were also there representing their personal charities, Peterson’s A&A Peterson Family Foundation, and Norman’s Starz24 Foundation.
“I think the whole Israel experience has opened my eyes up to so much more,” Norman concluded.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Facebook at: facebook.com/Warner.Todd.Huston.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.