Chiefs And NFL Remember Those Lost On Memorial Day
All of our work at Red Kingdom follows the Chiefs. However, on this Memorial Day, as always, it’s important to remember those we’ve lost. Countless men and women have lost their lives in service of our country. Their sacrifice should never be in vain and should always be remembered. The impact of their sacrifice has far greater reach than many of us understand. Remembrance on Memorial Day can often make the NFL (and our day-to-day lives) seem trivial, but for that reason, we want to remember one NFL legend and a couple of former Chiefs players who have made major off-the-field contributions to local veterans in their community.
Not only have these players impacted the NFL and the Chiefs on the field but they’ve also made their mark where it matters most: in the lives and well-being of those in their community beyond football.
Pat Tillman’s Legacy Continues To Impact Chiefs and NFL Today
Pat Tillman was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 1998 NFL Draft. Drafted as a linebacker, Tillman moved to Safety in his rookie season and would play there for the duration of his NFL career. Over the course of four NFL seasons from 1998 to 2001, Tillman played in 60 games. He made 39 starts and registered 374 career tackles. His 155 total tackles in 2000 ranked third in the NFL that season.
Then, in 2002, Tillman rejected a three-year contract from the Cardinals. In the wake of the tragic events on September 11, 2001, he instead decided to enlist in the Army and serve his nation. Tillman graduated from Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia in November 2003 before he tragically lost his life in Afghanistan in April 2004. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and the Silver Star Award.
Tillman’s legacy lives on as much greater than just the NFL and his sacrifice to his nation. The Pat Tillman Foundation was founded following his death. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $22 million in support of the education and leadership development of military veterans and spouses. If you’re interested in learning more or donating to the foundation yourself, you can do so here.
A Former Chiefs Fullback Earns NFL Award For Military Support
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those we’ve lost in service to our nation. However, it’s important to highlight those who have made an impact and are still with us as well. Former Chiefs fullback, Anthony Sherman, was the Chiefs Salute To Service Nominee in 2019.
You’ve likely seen Anthony Sherman’s awesome “saUSAge” shirts around town over the last few weeks, but what you may not know is that they’ve raised $15,000 for the Veterans Community Project. Sherman and the VCP celebrated that milestone up at camp yesterday. pic.twitter.com/gNB1Pu8IHJ — Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) August 13, 2019
Every Training Camp, the team holds a Military Appreciation Day which always featured Sherman’s smile front and center in support of our Service Men and Women.
“We wouldn’t be able to do what we do on Sundays if it wasn’t for the people that go out there and defend our freedom and give us the opportunity to do what we want to do.” Anthony Sherman
Sherman made his biggest impact off the field, for the Chiefs. He also became involved in support of the Veteran’s Community Project. The non-profit supports local homeless veterans through outreach and tiny home communities that assist veterans in transitioning off the street and into permanent homes. Throughout his NFL career, Anthony Sherman was a role model for excellence off the field and in support of our military veterans and servicemen, and servicewomen.
A Former Chiefs Linebacker Makes An Impact For Veterans
Donnie Edwards played for the Chiefs in eight different seasons after being drafted by the team in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He currently ranks fourth in franchise history with 592 solo tackles, trailing only Derrick Thomas, Kevin Ross, and Derrick Johnson.
Off the field in retirement, Edwards has been even better. Through his organization, The Best Defense Foundation, Edwards provides support to military veterans through Battlefield Returns, Education Initiatives, and their Stronghold Transition Program, which helps military members transition back to civilian life. In 22 years, the Foundation and Edwards have helped more than 200 veterans return to Normandy, Iwo Jima, and other locations that they served many years ago.
“It’s about giving these veterans an opportunity to go back with their brothers so that they can find closure after all these years,” Donnie Edwards
Edwards comes from a military background. His grandfather survived the bombing at Pearl Harbor. He also has a sister and two nephews who have served or are serving in the military currently.
To learn more or make a donation to the Best Defense Foundation, click here.
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