ABA Salutes Marine Corp PFC Jeremy Staat
The Shadow
Indianapolis, IN. The ABA Salutes Marine Corp PFC Jeremy Staat. Jeremy
got his first glimpse of the Marine Corps while playing football for
Arizona State University. Having a friend in the Marines, who showed him
photos of his tour in the desert, Staat starting thinking what-if I
could do that? However, he continued with football and started playing
in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle
Seahawks, St. Louis Rams and one year in arena football with the Los
Angeles Avengers. During his college years, he became good friends,
roommate and teammate with Pat Tillman. Tillman, as you know, left the
NFL to serve in the Army and was killed in action in 2004. Following
Tillman's death, Staat decided to stay in the NFL for the retirement
package and then joined the Marines at the age of 29.
According to Staat, his reasons for joining went beyond the tragic
passing of his friend. "The big reason was I was just really disgusted
with the amount of money entertainers get and what the pay troops
overseas. It didn't seem right that we pay all those entertainers
millions to catch a football and we pay our Marines pennies to a dollar
to catch a bullet. I wanted to be part of something that is going to
live forever instead of getting trophies."
Once he arrived for training at Marine Corps Depot San Diego, Staat
really tried to keep his past a secret. However, less than 5 hours after
he arrived the secret was out, thanks to a very inquisitive drill
instructor. "Stepping away from the life of an entertainer to enjoy the
priceless experience of Marine Corps boot camp, I couldn't feel more at
home. I would wake up every day and smile. Recruits would look at me
like I was crazy, but I am just happy to be here, to be on the practice
field as big as Camp Pendleton is crazy," said Staat. Staat graduates
the Depot as a squad leader and a new Marine.
He not only epitomizes what a true Marine is; he is an example of a
true-blooded American. An American willing to give up money and fam to
be a part of something bigger, to serve and give back to his country and
support a cause he believes in. The ABA Salutes you, PFC Staat, your
fellow Marines and all service members. Thank you for the protection and
safety you provide for America and for your dedication, sacrifice and
commitment to your country.
Salute is a not-for-profit program through the ABA (www.abalive.com).
Salute raises funds through the sales of its Salute Brand merchandise,
ABA sports memorabelia auctions and raffles. The funds raised help our
service members and their families through various means. Please log
onto www.abasalute.com for more information or for questions and
comments, email Jennifer Hester, ABA Salute Coordinator, at
jenn...@abasalute.com.