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T.J. Watt Sending Packers Fan, Disabled Army Vet To The Super Bowl
The three brothers — J.J., T.J. and Derek — all starred at the University of Wisconsin. All three played, or are still playing, in the National Football League. And the trio has never stopped giving to charitable causes.
TJ Watt — a star outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers who grew up in Pewaukee, Wis. — has made one Army veteran remarkably happy with his latest act of generosity.
Watt teamed up with USAA, an Official NFL Salute to Service Partner, and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to award Adam Alexander of Oshkosh, Wis. a trip to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas in two weeks. Alexander, a lifetime Green Bay Packers fan, achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant in 2012 when his service career ended due to injuries sustained in combat.
“Being a professional football player requires strength, resiliency, and selflessness — all inspiring characteristics that Staff Sergeant Adam Alexander embodies,” TJ Watt said.
There’s no question Alexander embodies those characteristics — and many more.
Alexander enlisted in the Army Reserves as a Civil Affairs Specialist in 2008 while attending University of Wisconsin-Platteville. In 2011, Alexander was deployed to Afghanistan as part of Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) stationed in the province of Paktya, when he was struck in the head by sniper fire during an insurgent attack on his base.
He was given a 5% chance to survive.
Not only did Alexander survive, he’s gone on to make an enormous difference in the lives of others.
Alexander, who has a 1-year-old daughter, is a devoted member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 17 in Winnebago County (Wis.), working as an advocate for veterans’ issues. His responsibilities include engaging 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” – providing support and raising awareness for local veterans.
In recognition of Alexander’s philanthropic achievements, he 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 decorated service history includes being awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action badge, and the Army Commendation Medal with Valor.
Alexander, a lifelong NFL fan, plans to bring his father-in-law, a Vietnam-era Army Veteran and a fellow cheesehead, with him to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas where they will both meet TJ Watt before going to the game.
USAA will be coordinating a similar effort with other players around the league.
“I’m honored to give Adam, a fellow Wisconsinite and national hero, the recognition he deserves,” said Watt, a six-time Pro Bowler and the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. “And I look forward to meeting him at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas.
