Millions of young football fans have dreamed about playing for their favorite teams, and one Air Force Guardsman recently made those dreams into reality. Benjamin Garland, a member of the 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, has an opportunity to play with his beloved Denver Broncos.
Garland spent last year on the Broncos practice squad, but is being given a chance to make the final roster this year. However, it will certainly be a challenge. Garland, a defensive tackle by nature, has been asked to transition to the other side of the ball to play guard. Despite the difficulty of changing positions, Garland is confident.
"That's my goal: to make the team and contribute to the team the best I can," he said. "I'm going to work as hard as I can every single day to make sure I'm a part of this roster."
Should he make the final cut, Garland would be one of several servicemembers to find themselves on NFL rosters in recent years. A little further east in Indianapolis, Josh McNary, a former 25-year-old Army fire direction officer is hoping to earn a spot with the Colts as a linebacker, according to The Associated Press.