Mangold/Richardson "Airmen For A Day"

Thanks to an initiative by USAA, the official military appreciation sponsor of the NFL, NFL pro bowlers were able to take part yesterday in an event titled "Airmen for a Day".

Basically the initiative gives the players an opportunity to talk to and take part in several activities around the military, including:

• Being up close and personal with an F-16

• An F-16 flight simulator

• Meet and greet with military working dogs (K-9 bomb/attack dogs)

• Participation in Skype calls with military members overseas, with their families stateside at Luke AFB

There is a reason the players love the Pro Bowl and being able to take part in events such as this and give back to the military that serve the country 365 days a year is just one of them. Nick Mangold and Sheldon Richardson took part in several of the events and we have been lucky enough to receive a few photos.

NFL Pro Bowlers Odell Beckham Jr., left, and Nick Mangold, middle, speak with USAF Maj. Anthony Generous during the Airman for a Day event sponsored by USAA, the Official Military Appreciation Sponsorof the NFL on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015 in Glendale, Ariz. (Rick Scuteri/AP Images for USAA)

NFL Pro Bowler Nick Mangold, right, speaks with USAF Master Sergeant Jeffery Braselton during the Airman for a Day event sponsored by USAA, the Official Military Appreciation Sponsor of the NFL on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015 in Glendale, Ariz. (Rick Scuteri/AP Images for USAA)

NFL Pro Bowler Sheldon Richardson kneels next to a military working dog at Luke Air Force Base during the Airman for a Day event sponsored by USAA, the Official Military Appreciation Sponsor of the NFL on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Ralph Freso/AP Images for USAA)

NFL Pro Bowler Elvis Dumervil, left, and Sheldon Richardson, center right, pose with Air Force members Natalie Carethers, center left, and Mark Tombley during the Airman for a Day event sponsored by USAA, the Official Military Appreciation Sponsor of the NFL on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Ralph Freso/AP Images for USAA)