Big man on big ship: San Diego Chargers offensive tackle D.J. Fluker — No. 76 in your program, No. 11 on your 2013 NFL draft board and 339 pounds on your scale — poses aboard the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan on Wednesday. (Chargers.com photo)
Aircraft carriers aren’t strangers to sporting events or to visits from NFL stars. But getting both at once is a bit of a rarity.
The San Diego Chargers staged a walk-through practice on the flight deck of the carrier Ronald Reagan on Wednesday, the day before their final preseason game.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers signs autographs aboard the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln on Wednesday. (Navy photo via Facebook)
Crew members and about 70 Navy kids caught passes and got autographs from players and cheerleaders. The team presented the ship’s crew with an autographed helmet.
“Everything that they do for our country, it’s great to give back to them,” tight end Ladarius Green told Chargers.com. “These guys go through so much and the Chargers do a great job of giving back to them, including days like today when we get to spend time with them.”
No word on whether anybody played the team’s addictive, retro theme song during the visit. Or whether anybody pointed out the last name of the ship’s skipper — Capt. Christopher Bolt.
The Chargers begin their regular season Sept. 9 at home against the Houston Texans.
