Join The Huddle Shuttle scores touchdown for Fort Hamilton

Are you ready for some football? The NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee-hosted Join the Huddle Shuttle continues to fill the craving for avid pigskin fans as it stopped by Fort Hamilton Army Base in late November.

Coined as the first-ever mobile tour associated with a Super Bowl, the shuttle is in the midst of a 48-plus stop tour. The event includes attractions and activities galore, such as a mock football field for various drills and memorabilia from the New York football teams. Fans also got the chance to take a photo of the Lombardi Trophy.

“It went very well. The day went smoothly,” said fort Spokesperson Bruce Hill. “According to Super Bowl staff, they appreciated the fact there wasn’t a surge of people. It was a steady, continuous flow of visitors and families that were mostly from the Fort Hamilton community. About 250 people showed up for the event.”

One of the special attractions of the day was an appearance by former defensive end for New York Giants and Super Bowl champion George Martin, who signed autographs for the families.

“(Martin) also took off his two Super Bowl championship rings and let kids try it on and take pictures with it. That was pretty nice for the children, “said Hill.

The day was created in a spontaneous fashion, as Fort Hamilton wasn’t originally on the list of tour stops. “It was a surprise to us. They went to the VA first but they didn’t have the accommodations,” explained Hill. “They didn’t even know Fort Hamilton existed, but then they called us and asked if we could provide the space and everything else fell into place.”

Hill explained the event was a family affair, which got competitive between children and adults. “The kids absolutely loved it,” he noted. “We had fathers challenging their sons and daughters. They were able to kick a field goal, run the obstacles. The kids also got a kick out of the touchdown dance. “

In addition to the drills, the shuttle also included replica Jets and Giants locker rooms which featured game-worn material by Hall of Famer Curtis Martin and two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning.

The presenting sponsor for the shuttle is P.C .Richard and Sons. The tour began in August, and will conclude with “Super Bowl Boulevard,” a fan event on Broadway in Manhattan, from Wednesday, January 29 through Saturday, February 1.  For future tour dates, visit www.jointhehuddletour.com.