GALVESTON -- Brian Cushing is paid by the Texans to anchor their defense from the middle linebacker position.
And the former Pro Bowl selection got to see firsthand how the United States military protects the country during his recent overseas USO trip to Germany and Kuwait.
"No question, it's not easy at all," Cushing said Sunday during a Carnival Cruise Line Mother's Day event. "Just to see what they're going through, living conditions, operations, how smart some of those guys are. In the heat of battle, whenever that is, that could be around the corner anytime. I was around some of the guys who are on the front lines and are going to Iraq or Syria next.