Football stars found themselves star-struck during a training session at MCAS Miramar.
They worked out, signed autographs, took pictures and shook hands with Marines and Sailors and their families.
"This is awesome," said eight-year-old Chase Taylor.
He had to have one signature in particular.
"Drew Brees!" he said.
He wanted to take a photo of it and send it to his dad, but the former Charger stopped just shy of him.
"[My dad] is in Iraq," Taylor explained. "We hope he comes home safely."
Taylor told 10News he worries that his dad might die and will not make it home.
Shortly after a football player learned about that, he patted Taylor on the back and asked how he was doing.
Javontee Herndon, who is a wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers, said he was humbled to be there.
"You can't say thank you enough for the things that people in the military do for us and for this country," Herndon explained. "They look up to us, but we wouldn't be able to do anything without them."
Tra Brantley, who is the son of a Navy Sailor, agreed. "My dad is the real star," Brantley said.
I asked Taylor who he thought was cooler between Drew Brees and his dad.
"Drew Brees because he plays football, and my dad, he's just a boring Marine," Taylor explained.
Taylor wants to join the NFL.
"Anybody could be anything," he said with a big smile.
It is called the American dream for a reason, and he knows people like his dad are the reason he can chase it.
To make his wish come true, 10News reporter Hannah Mullins helped Taylor get the one signature he really wanted, and a photo with Drew Brees, which he sent to his dad right away to feel a little closer. .
"I think it's scary," Taylor said of his dad. "But, it's good that he's helping us for our freedom."
