MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Marine and Sailor football fans were in a frenzy Feb. 3 for the chance to get an autograph and picture with a football superstar who took the time out of his Pro Bowl trip to visit the Marines and Sailors aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.
San Francisco 49er wide receiver, and now free agent, Terrell Owens visited several locations here where he was greeted by dozens of eager fans, beginning with some intramural football league players at the Pacific War Memorial.
"I think it's a good thing that he took the time to come out and visit all the Marines out here," said Lance Cpl. Steven Annichiarico, a training clerk with Marine Aircraft Group 24. "I think more professional athletes should do it."
Owens, whose contract ended last year with the 49ers, may be looking around the league for a new place to call home. According to Owens, Atlanta is one of the possibilities he is exploring.
"I have lived in Atlanta during the off-season, and I enjoy the area," he said. "I also think Mike Vick just needs someone to throw to; that could be why he runs the ball so much," Owens explained.
As for now, Owens is enjoying his time here in Hawaii and enjoying the off-season. After his visit with the football players near the front gate, he continued his tour with a stop by the command headquarters of 3rd Radio Bn., where Sgt. Maj. Robert Roberts presented Owens with a unit coin as a reminder of his visit.
Continuing on from 3rd Radio Bn., Owens and the escorting Marines hopped in the van and drove off - just as a Sailor passed by the van in his automobile, screaming and waving a jersey out the window. As the crew arrived at the 3rd Marine Regiment's Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer, so did the screaming Sailor and another entourage of Marines.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Ivan Parker caught Owens as he headed into the ISMT to ask for an autograph and quick picture.
"I heard Owens was on base, so I just got up and left to search for Owens for the past 15 minutes," said Parker, obviously excited to meet the star. "I've been a die-hard Niner fan since they beat the Bengals in the Super Bowl years back. That game is the game that got me into football in the first place, and I've been on that bandwagon ever since."
Inside the ISMT, Owens took the opportunity to join a squad of Marines in the prone position for a simulated arctic assault, manning an M249 squad automatic weapon and a M240G medium machinegun.
"I thought [the ISMT] was dope," said Owens after playing on the simulator for about 30 minutes. "You've got to have some strong elbows to handle all that."
After the ISMT training experience, Owens and crew stopped by the Anderson Hall dining facility to enjoy lunch before departing the base, as his tour had come to an end.
"I really enjoyed coming out here," said Owens as he departed. "With all that's going on right now in the world, I'm really happy I could stop by and see some of the fans on base, and see how they live. It actually reminded me a lot of college."
Owens was selected to go to the Pro Bowl, which kicks off 2:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Aloha Stadium, but will have to stand on the sidelines due to injury.