EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants received a four-star pep talk for their season opener against the Carolina Panthers.
Gen. Ray Odierno, the former top U.S. military commander in Iraq, attended the Giants' practice Thursday and talked to the team after it ended.
Dressed in fatigues and wearing a beret adorned with four-stars, Odierno watched the two-hour workout from the sideline, then was greeted by clapping after walking into the post-practice huddle.
The media couldn't hear what the general told the players, but Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Odierno discussed the values of team, mental and physical toughness, resiliency, overcoming anything, believing in yourself and having each other's back.
Coughlin said Odierno pointed out those were the qualities of the group of soldiers that captured Saddam Hussein.
Odierno grew up in Rockaway and is a longtime Giants fan. He wasn't made available for comment.
Coughlin, who has met Odierno several times, believed the visit was significant.
"When you stop and think about the devotion that people such as the general have, to our country, and to the opportunity for the rest of us to sleep under the blanket of freedom, it is incredible what sacrifices are made by our brave and loyal soldiers," Coughlin said.
Two-time Pro Bowl center Shaun O'Hara took a USO trip during the offseason and met Odierno.
"I think everybody was hanging on his every word," O'Hara said. "Of course, it's nice to hear from someone other than coach for a while, but it was great to see him. I had a chance to visit with him and spend some time with him over in Iraq. It's a lot better to be here watching charter planes fly over instead of helicopters. I think we're grateful for all the service he did for the country."
O'Hara said Odierno also talked about accountability and taking care of the guys next to you.
"If you are in a corps or battalion or squadron, you are counting on the guys in that group, and football is no different," O'Hara said.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
