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NFL Players Who Have Served In The Military

Raytheon - Pat Tillman

It's been a long time since any of the U.S. military service academics dominated the college football scene, but that doesn't mean the military hasn't been well represented in the National Football League recently. While some of the most notable examples of NFL players who also served in the military come from the distant past, there are exceptions.

Take Caleb Campbell, for example, he was drafted out of West Point by the Detroit Lions in the 2008 NFL Draft. Although he only played in three games in the 2010 season for the Lions—after two years of military service—he still remains the most recent NFL player to have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Campbell wasn't a star on the NFL field like the men on the list that follow, but he should be a hero in the minds of Americans nonetheless.

The six very-famous players below, listed in alphabetical order, all managed to serve their country with distinction and play in the NFL at a high level. We may never see their like again, in truth.

Chuck Bednarik, CLB, Philadelphia Eagles

Chuck Bednarik served with the 467th Bomb Group in the Eighth Air Force during World War II, flying 30 missions over Germany in a B-24 Liberation Bomber. He earned the Air Medal, four Oak Leaf Clusters and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon, with five Battle Stars. Bednarik was an eight-time Pro Bowler, and is well known for playing all 60 minutes of the 1960 NFL title game—won by Philadelphia over Green Bay, 17-13. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1967.

Rocky Bleier, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Drafted by the Steelers in 1968, Rocky Bleier played one season in the NFL before being drafted into service for the Vietnam War. He served with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade and earned the Purple Heart as well as the Bronze Star. Bleier returned to the NFL in 1971 and averaged 4.2 yards per carry in his career. He scored 25 career touchdowns and won four Super Bowls with Pittsburgh.

Eddie LeBaron, QB, Washington Redskins & Dallas Cowboys

Like Bleier, Eddie LeBaron was drafted by the NFL and then drafted into military service soon thereafter. In the Korean War, he earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Despite posting only one season with a winning record as a starting quarterback (1956), LeBaron was named to four Pro Bowls and became the first QB of the Dallas Cowboys in 1960. At just 5-foot-9 and 168 pounds during his playing days, he earned the nickname "The Little General," thanks to his military service.

Sid Luckman, QB, Chicago Bears

After winning the 1943 NFL championship, the Bears lost 19 players to the World War II effort, including Sid Luckman—a three-time Pro Bowler who would be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965. He volunteered for service and later returned to Chicago to lead the team to another championship in 1946.

Roger Staubach, QB, Dallas Cowboys

The most successful NFL military man, Roger Staubach won the 1963 Heisman Trophy while playing for Annapolis and then served five years in the Navy before joining the Cowboys in 1969. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and started four Super Bowls for Dallas in the 1970s, winning two NFL titles along the way. Staubach was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1985.

Pat Tillman, S, Arizona Cardinals

Most people are familiar with his name and story, shortly after the events of September 11th, Pat Tillman left the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army. Tillman had been an All-Pro safety for the Cardinals, until he volunteered to be an Army Ranger. He later lost his life in Afghanistan—but set a stunning example of patriotism and self sacrifice for generations of NFL fans to come.

Sam McPherson is a freelance writer covering baseball, football, basketball, golf, hockey and fantasy sports for CBS Local, AXS.com and Examiner.com. He also is an Ironman triathlete and certified triathlon coach.

 

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