When Navy veterans Joe Lloyd and Loaman “Nelly” Nelson served together aboard USS San Diego, they never dreamed they would be attending the Super Bowl. But thanks to the Wounded Warrior Project and Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd, this weekend, they’re living a football fantasy!
In the lead-up to Super Bowl LX in San Francisco, we caught up with them and swapped sea stories about ship life, port calls, and casinos, and lessons about what it takes to be a true leader.
Joe Lloyd shared how those leadership lessons helped him guide his son, Devin, to become an elite college football player, a first-round draft pick, and a pro bowler with the Jaguars.
They described how recently they served their fellow vets, along with Devin and other NFL players, at Project Odyssey, a healing retreat that offers outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, rafting, skiing, boarding, and more.
Afterward, Devin Lloyd gave the coveted tickets to Nelly, and he described the call to his buddy Joe, announcing their epic road trip to attend the big game.
From leadership to fatherhood to a love of sports, these two veterans represent what it means to be a football fan and a friend!
More on Project Odyssey, outdoor adventures here.
Support our veterans and donate to the Wounded Warrior Project here.
Contact Phil Briggs, the host of CBS Eye on Veterans at phil@connectingvets.com.