November is very special at NFL Alumni because we take the time to honor the current military heroes of our Armed Forces as well as those killed while defending our freedom during our country’s wars.
While Veterans Day is not until next week on November 11, there are special events occurring starting tomorrow night in Chicago when the Pat Tillman Foundation holds its annual Tillman Honors dinner.
Former teammate Jake Plummer is this year’s Champion Awardee at the dinner. Plummer played with Pat at both Arizona State and then later with the Cardinals. When Pat died in 2004, Plummer immediately began wearing a decal of Pat’s number 40 on his helmet and has championed his teammate’s legacy these past two decades.
Previous Champion Awardee honorees include Cardinals Hall of Famer Larrry Fitzgerald, team owner Michael Bidwill, and the late Senator John McCain.
The Tillman Foundation provides scholarships to military members and their spouses. Many of the nearly 1,000 Tillman Scholars will be among the guests in Chicago at Wednesday night’s dinner to help remember our fallen hero.. Other attendees expected include Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Hampton and former Pro Bowl and Cardinal kicker Neil Rackers.
The league office also this week is scheduled to announce the nominees for its annual “Salute to Service Award” which recognizes NFL alumni, owners, active players, coaches, and staff who honor and support military communities. Alumni who easily fall into this category include Army veteran Rocky Bleier (Steelers), Tony Richardson (Jets), Keith Bishop (Broncos), Air Force veteran Chad Hennings (Broncos), and Jerious Norwood (Falcons).
“All of us at NFL Alumni owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to our military veterans and active personnel, “says Alumni CEO Brad Edwards. “We stand ready to support our military men and women on both a local and national basis.”
More than 1,000 NFL players, coaches and staff served during World War II at a time when our league only was 25 years old. During the Korean War and Vietnam conflict, dozens of NFL alumni and active players served either as military reservists or active Marines, soldiers or sailors. Many of you over the years also showed your patriotism by volunteering to take trips overseas to visit military bases and hospitals via USO programs.
As the country observes Veterans Day on November 11, we at NFL Alumni ask you to join us at every opportunity as we honor and support our patriotic military.
