Posted on May 5, 2014
US Army Ranger CPT Alejandro Villanueva Signs Contract with the Philadelphia Eagles
11.7K
95
32
12
12
0
West Point grad, Ranger, 3 tours, and a Bronze Star recipient. Not to mention a beast...6'9, 277lbs. If you read his story, he's been dreaming of this moment for a long time. Awesome achievement.
Anyone have a story of balancing the military and a pro/semi-pro athletic career? I know many of the 'service funded' athletic programs are running dry of funding. Do you think there is value in keeping these programs in place?
Anyone have a story of balancing the military and a pro/semi-pro athletic career? I know many of the 'service funded' athletic programs are running dry of funding. Do you think there is value in keeping these programs in place?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 16
7
7
0
It makes sense to have a real hero who's an athlete for a change. I remember a promising player who became a Ranger after 9-11, Pat Tillman. I met Pat while at the Arizona Cardinals training camp during the Summer of 2001. He was a truly genuine individual!
(7)
(0)
SFC Mark Merino
I'm still living in the Phoenix area and he is honored here like he should be. They do the annual Tillman run and raise a lot of money fr veteran charities. RLTW!
(2)
(0)
Capt Brandon Charters
Great example SSG Mark Ives. Pat played with a friend of mine at ASU and said he was a remarkable leader and friend to everyone on the team. He really took the underclassmen under his wing as well. This kind of leadership truly thrives in athletics.
(0)
(0)
6
6
0
Athletes make for Good PR. Remember my Disbursing Officer onboard CGN-36 USS California Mr David Robinson.
(6)
(0)
3
3
0
I was able to participate on the women's softball team for the different places I was stationed. There was funding for uniforms and some tournaments against other bases' teams. It was a great experience all around. Then the money "dried up" and we could participate if we footed the bill. Most of us still played, but it made it more difficult. I think sports should be supported, for people like this guy. Excellent job!
(3)
(0)
SSgt (Join to see)
Our Weather units had some quality talent and in softball, we destroyed the instructors 19-0.
(1)
(0)
3
3
0
The latest intel I found puts him with Pittsburgh now. I respect the Penguins but.......
http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/tag/_/name/alejandro-villanueva
http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/tag/_/name/alejandro-villanueva
PITTSBURGH -- There may not be a more intriguing prospect in the Pittsburgh Steelers' locker room than practice squad player Alejandro Villanueva.
(3)
(0)
COL Terry Schooler
Yeah he shows up on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster as a member of their practice squad.
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
Capt Brandon Charters Anything which benefits Service Members and leads to this kind of positive exposure should be maintained and perhaps have additional funds added to. This Ranger is now "leading the way" in professional athletics. In essence are service members not a form of a professional athlete anyway? After all we do get paid to work out,. right?
(3)
(0)
2
2
0
I am upset that everything that makes our traditions seems to be on the chopping block and in spite of some scandalous behavior by some, the Academies are the Dukes and Harvard of our military.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
I think the programs have value of teaching teamwork, work ethic, and physical training. May just have to find a way to trim the budget.
(2)
(0)
1
1
0
Capt Brandon Charters, this is awesome, sir! What a great story!!
I vote to keep the programs.
Personally speaking: the Army life is a culture shock to many. Service funded athletic programs offer the younger (and sometimes older) cadets something familiar to participate in during their training. The sports are a healthy outlet to stress, they promote physical fitness, and they are an excellent way of building camaraderie.
I vote to keep the programs.
Personally speaking: the Army life is a culture shock to many. Service funded athletic programs offer the younger (and sometimes older) cadets something familiar to participate in during their training. The sports are a healthy outlet to stress, they promote physical fitness, and they are an excellent way of building camaraderie.
(1)
(0)
A role model to look up too. If the athletic programs help troop morale then carry on. Well done Captain!
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google