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U.S. football coach and Elmore native airlifted back from Honduras

Mitchi Collette is a coach for the AFE USA All-Stars women's team. They were playing in a tournament in Honduras when the country went on lockdown.
Credit: Mitchi Collette

ELMORE, Ohio — The AFE USA All-Stars women's football team stuck in Honduras finally arrived home on Friday.

They were airlifted by the U.S. Army from Honduras where they were stuck when the country went into lockdown because of coronavirus.

The women's football team had just finished a tournament when they got the news there was no way to get home. They thought they would be stuck there with limited resources, but Friday morning they made it back.

"The military flew us to South Carolina to an air force base. Half of the team went there and the other half was flown out this morning to another military installation. It's good to be home but I wouldn't trade that experience for anything," coach Mitchi Collette said.

Collette was brought to a base in South Carolina and has since flown back to Ohio. 

They are being told to stay home for two weeks as a precaution.

Collette said the people in Honduras were very accommodating as they figured out their extended stay.

“They did give us a humongous discount which is really helpful. We do have a roof over our head and we are getting food in our stomachs and our coach is keeping everyone busy," Collette said.

The players and coaches that were stuck in Honduras are from 23 different states. They said everyone in Honduras treated them with kindness.

“(We're in) great spirits. Of course, everyone wants to go home. Many of my players are moms and would love to see their family. We would all like to see our family," Collette said.


Credit: Mitchi

AFE is a non-profit organization and the All-Stars group represents them internationally where they not only play, but give back to the community.

"We always do a good community event with a lot of children, homeless shelters, battered women and stuff like that," Collette said.

Credit: Mitchi

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