Texans coach Kubiak tells troops there will be football ‘Thrill of a lifetime’

Gary Kubiak is the latest NFL coach to visit U.S. troops abroad and, like those before him, says he's better for it

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Texans coach Gary Kubiak calls his week-long trip to visit United States military troops in the Persian Gulf the “thrill of a lifetime.”

Kubiak is one of four NFL representatives participating in the third NFL-USO Coaches Tour of military bases that began last week in Kuwait.

“Before I came here, I spoke to some who had made this (USO-sponsored) trip, and they told me it would change my life, and they were right,” Kubiak said Sunday from Baghdad. “This is one of the greatest experiences of my life — the thrill of a lifetime.

“I’ve met so many interesting soldiers. They’re so happy to have us here. I feel like I’m thanking them for everybody back home, thanking them for everything they do. I have so much respect and admiration for the sacrifices they make to protect us.”

Kubiak is joined by Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt, former New Orleans and Indianapolis coach Jim E. Mora and his son, former Atlanta and Seattle coach Jim L. Mora.

Dating to the Vietnam War, the NFL, in conjunction with the USO, has sent more than 180 active and former coaches and players to visit troops in more than 20 countries.

“They’re taking us to another (military base) in the morning, but we don’t know where we’re going tonight,” said Kubiak, who has an eight-hour time difference from Houston. “For security reasons, they don’t tell us where we’re going until we show up.

Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, center, takes a ride in an Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle with Jim Mora, left and Jim Mora Jr. Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, center, takes a ride in an Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle with Jim Mora, left and Jim Mora Jr. Photo: Courtesy Of USO Photo: Courtesy Of USO Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Texans coach Kubiak tells troops there will be football 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

“Wherever we’ve been has been a tremendous experience. I’m learning so much. We’re safe at all times. We’ve got eight to 10 soldiers who go with us everywhere. We’re well-protected.”

Kubiak has been getting firsthand experience at what some troops go through.

“We’ve ridden in a Black Hawk helicopter,” he said. “I was riding in the cockpit of a C130 transport plane when the pilot told me to get ready for the landing because we were going straight down, and we did. That’s one of the advantages of that aircraft. Man, was it exciting.”

Everywhere the coaches go, they participate in meet-and-greets with the men and women of the military.

“It’s amazing,” Kubiak said. “We were at one base, and the son of our former neighbor in Denver surprised me. I thought, ‘Wow, what a small world.’ I’ve met a lot of fans here from Texas and Colorado.

“There are some serious football fans over here. I get a lot of fantasy football questions. They want to know about our team and what I think about players on other teams.”

Kubiak hasn’t been surprised by the question he’s hearing the most. It’s the same question he hears the most when he’s home.

“The question we’re getting the most is, ‘Will we have football this season?’ ” Kubiak said. “And I tell them, ‘Yes, we’re going to have football this season.’ ”

john.mcclain@chron.com

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