JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The University of Georgia football team got a taste of Naval life Wednesday, touring Naval Station Mayport ahead of their TaxSlayer Bowl matchup with Penn State.
The entire Georgia Bulldog football team rolled in on several buses, just days ahead of their bowl game.
Their first stop for barbecue came with a few signatures for some lucky servicemen and women.
"It's pretty awesome for them to come out to see what the military, the sailors and firefighters and police officers do here," said Robert Jones, firefighter at Mayport and proud Georgia fan.
Next, it was off to the U.S.S. Farragut. Players got to explore the workings of the vessel, giving them at least a small taste of naval life.
"My father was in the Army, my brother spent four years in the Navy and I mean it's just a great experience for me to finally come out to a naval base and see what it's like on the ship and to just be around everything," said Georgia linebacker Jordan Jenkins.
"I have a great appreciation for what they do for this country, to allow you to do what you're able to do. It's huge to see those guys kind of interact with our guys I think it's phenomenal," said interim Georgia Head Coach Bryan McClendon.
Melanie Hoy showed off her football signed by sever players, a day the chief air traffic controller will not soon forget.
"At first I'm like 'meh' but now I'm pretty overwhelmed so I love it," said Hoy.
