ARLINGTON, Va. - In his 35-year National Guard career, Army dentist Col. Marc Hendler has been a detachment commander, deployed twice to Iraq and served as a volunteer surgeon for the New York City Police Department.
For more statistics on Hendler you will have to look on the back of his new Topps National Football League (NFL) card.
Hendler is one of three National Guard members, who have been immortalized by the NFL team in their hometown and the Topps trading card company.
Hendler (New York Giants); Sgt. Philip LaBonte of the Michigan Army National Guard (Detroit Lions) and Senior Airman Gabriel Bird of the Louisiana Air National Guard (New Orleans Saints) are among 11 Armed Forces Fans of the Game nominated by their home teams.
Their cards are among the 440 that make up the Topps set. They are randomly placed in packs of 10 and have already become collector’s items.
"We wanted to pay tribute to our soldiers in some fashion,” Clay Luraschi, the director of product development for Topps told the New York Times. "We went to the N.F.L. and they were totally on board with it, and immediately began asking teams to nominate soldiers from their respective cities.”
LaBonte has been honored twice by the Lions. Last season, the team held a purple heart ceremony for him at halftime of the Tampa Bay game. The 24-year-old was medically retired after he lost his legs and his left eye in a roadside bombing in Iraq on May 26, 2007.
"To me, these cards are further proof that we have the respect and support of the American people,” LaBonte told the New York Times. "We’re just like any other American, we’re loyal to our country, and loyal to our favorite football teams.”
Being on a football card is a "thrill” said Hendler, who had to buy his own copies of the Topp’s card honoring him.
"I had to go on eBay and pay $3 each for three cards,” he said.
Hendler hopes his new found sports card fame will pay off in the end. "Now maybe I will go to the game and be recognized,” he said.
Bird, a joint terminal attack controller with the 122nd Air Support Operations Squadron in Pineville, La., was deployed to Afghanistan when he heard about his nomination.
His father, Thomas J. Bird was ecstatic about the news. "He called home from Afghanistan and told us about it, and said to not make a big deal of it, but of course I did,” said the proud father and Saints fan.
About a month later, Bird received a box of cards with his face representing the Saints, but that was too long for his eager parents to wait. "As soon as the set came out, I started looking on eBay,” his father said.
"My mom, especially, was very excited,” said Bird. "But both of my parents immediately began sending them to family members, neighbors and I think who ever would take them,” he said jokingly.
Note: Story compiled from releases by Eric Durr of the New York National Guard and Sgt. Tresa L. Allemang of the Louisiana National Guard.