Those From Football Who Served America

Filed in archive NFL on May 26, 2008

© Dennys Bisogno

Happy Memorial Day to all, as we take today to celebrate the lives of our country's servicemen and women. And so today seems like an appropriate time to recognize that football has a long history of those associated with the game who served America. While all deserve to be mentioned, the list is too long to do so here, but the Pro Football Hall of Fame website has listings of those who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. That said, here is a closer look at a few of them.

Chuck Bednarik: The Hall of Fame player served during World War II as a gunner on B-24 planes. He made numerous flights over Germany.

Maurice Britt: A defensive end with the Lions, Britt served in WW II. Though he lost his right arm in battle, he was awarded numerous medals, including the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

George Halas: As owner and coach of the Chicago Bears, Halas enlisted at age 45 to serve in WWII. This after he had previously served in World War I.

Dick "Night Train" Lane: A Hall of Fame defensive back with the L.A. Rams, Lane served in the Korean War prior to joining the NFL.

Bob Kalsu: An offensive lineman with the Buffalo Bills, Kalsu joined the war effort in Vietnam after his rookie season. He was killed in combat defending a base.

Roger Staubach: Enshrined in both the college and professional football Hall of Fame, Staubach did not play in the NFL until he was 27 after his Navy college career was over. He served in Vietnam, choosing a tour there instead of work in the States.

Pat Tillman: The former Arizona Cardinals safety was killed serving in Afghanistan on April 21, 2004. Tillman quit the NFL to pursue a military career after the 9/11 attacks.