Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker TJ Watt is making one Army veteran’s Super Bowl dreams come true.
Watt teamed up with USAA, Official NFL Salute to Service Partner, and Disabled American Veterans to award retired Army Staff Sgt. Adam Alexander and his family with a once-in-a-lifetime experience with a trip to this year's Super Bowl in Las Vegas. USAA is coordinating a similar effort with other players around the league.
“Being a professional football player requires strength, resiliency, and selflessness – all inspiring characteristics that Staff Sergeant Adam Alexander embodies,” said Watt.
Alexander enlisted in the Army Reserves as a civil affairs specialist in 2008 while attending the University of Wisconsin – Platteville. In 2011, he was in Afghanistan as part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team stationed in the province of Paktya, when he was struck in the head by sniper fire during an insurgent attack on his base, leaving him with a 5% chance of survival.
Not only did Alexander survive, but he is thriving. Today, his new mission is to be a full-time volunteer and father to his 1-year-old daughter. Alexander is a member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 17 in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, where he works as an advocate for veterans’ issues.
In that role, Alexander is responsible for engaging with local schools, providing testimony to the Wisconsin State Legislature for a bill that would expand eligibility for property tax credits for other disabled veterans, and hosting a half-hour public-access television program – “The Outpost” – which provides support and raises awareness for local veterans.
In recognition of his philanthropic achievements, Alexander was named DAV’s 2022 Disabled American Veteran of the Year — an award presented to veterans who, despite their wounds, have had a substantial impact in serving their brothers- and sisters-in-arms.
Alexander’s military awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action badge, and the Army Commendation Medal with Valor.
He is also a lifelong NFL fan whose favorite team is the Green Bay Packers. Alexander plans to bring his father-in-law, a Vietnam-era Army veteran, with him to the Super Bowl where they will both meet Watt before going to the game.
“I’m honored to team up with USAA and Disabled American Veterans to give Adam, a fellow Wisconsinite and national hero, the recognition he deserves, and I look forward to meeting him at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas,” said Watt.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.