Emmitt Smith Presents $50K to Ft. Hood's Fisher House

Emmitt Smith Presents $50K to Ft. Hood's Fisher House

KCEN-TV

By Sophia Stamas

01.11.12

Some are going the whole nine yards to make sure our wounded soldiers have all the support they need.

NFL Star Emmitt Smith visited Fort Hood today.

The former Dallas Cowboy was there to present a $50 thousand dollar check from the Hershey company to the Fisher House Foundation.

KCEN HD News reporter Sophia Stamas shows us why the football icon says this hand-off was so important.

Heroes of the war zone met a legend of the end zone today, and for Emmitt Smith and dozens of soldiers from Fort Hood's Warrior Transition Unit, the admiration was mutual.

"Often times we get labeled as heroes, and today I get a chance to be among the greatest heroes of heroes," said Smith.

He was on post to encourage our troops and to support the Fisher House Foundation, which cares for families while their soldiers are recovering in the hospital.

Fisher House Volunteer Sgt. First Class Daniel Arnette says, "It's like home away from home for them. When you come to the Fisher House, they get free food, free meals, and they stay at the house for free."

For Specialist David McWilliams, the foundation meant someone close was there when he awoke from a coma, after being injured by an explosive in Afghanistan in 2010.

"I think the most important experience was that I was allowed to have my dad there. My dad was present, and without him, I don't think I would have recovered," McWilliams said.

Now thanks to the Hershey company, 50-thousand dollars will go to Fisher Houses around the globe to support those who defend us, and Smith says it's all about protecting our defense.

"What they do and what they stand for is important to me and this great nation," he said.

The Fisher House on Fort Hood is one of 56 and counting all over the world, each one of them, 100 percent donation supported.