Former NFL MVP Joe Theismann helps make this a Christmas two military families will never forget
Joe Theismann is a former Super Bowl champion and NFL MVP. He's gone on to have a very successful post-football career, as well, so it's easy to see why he has such a big platform.And he's teamed up with USAA to use that platform in a way that made this Christmas one that two military […]
Joe Theismann is a former Super Bowl champion and NFL MVP. He's gone on to have a very successful post-football career, as well, so it's easy to see why he has such a big platform.
And he's teamed up with USAA to use that platform in a way that made this Christmas one that two military families will never forget.
Theismann, former Washington Commanders Robert Griffin III, and USAA recently donated two retrofitted vehicles to the families through the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides program. The NABC Recycled Rides is "a unique program in which businesses representing all facets of the collision repair industry team up to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation. Since the inception of the NABC Recycled Rides program in 2007, members of the National Auto Body Council have donated more than 2,400 vehicles valued at more than $34 million".
The vehicles are completely refurbished and "meticulously restored and inspected to ensure safety and reliability", per USAA's website.
"It's extremely rewarding," Theismann recently told A to Z Sports. "USAA is really the driving force behind this… [and] to be a part of the Recycled Rides – I have just a great belief in our military and I have great appreciation for the men and women that serve in our military. And of course the Army-Navy game represents those young men and young women that are going to be leaders of our country. That's really what makes it exciting and to be able to give away a vehicle."
Theismann presented one of the vehicles to Navy Seaman Matthew Walker and his family, while RGIII presented his to Army Specialist Caleb Dooley and his family. The event took place Friday in Washington D.C.'s National Mall. It's fitting not only because of the DC location, but it's also the day before the 125th matchup between Army and Navy.
Dooley and his family, who hail from Virginia, received a 2023 Chevy Equinox and Walker and his family, who are from Maryland, were given a 2024 Chevy Malibu. It's a small, but effective way to show them just how much their service to the United States is appreciated.
"Interestingly enough, this particular game has only been played, this is the second time it's been played in Washington, DC," said Theismann. "Which is, you know, the seat of [military] command, and with everything going on in the city, and the Commanders doing well, it's very exciting…
"… You know, in our world of professional sports, people come up to us all the time and say, 'Well, you were my hero. You were my dad's heroes.' And we're not heroes. We appreciate it [and] I appreciate it, but we're men and women that the good Lord gave a gift to to be able to do certain things. These young men and women in our military that put that uniform on and go out every day – they don't know [if] they're coming home. I go to work and I know I'm coming home, but they don't know that. And yet, you have these young men and young women at the academies that realize what's out there for them [and] what their commitment is going to be. You have to admire that so much.
"And so to be able to say thank you in this very, I guess you could say small way with these retrofitted vehicles, you know, it just makes me feel darn proud and darn good."
Theismann is no stranger when it comes to participating in charities that may not fall exactly in line with Recycled Rides, but ones that are similar. Either way, they're special to him for one obvious reason: helping people in need.
"All of the charities that I'm involved with and have been involved with are very special to me, because what you're trying to do is help people," said Theismann. "You're trying to help people deal with situations in their life that they're not able to do. Obviously [with] so many things in this world, you need money. You have to be able to raise funds to be able to do it. USAA provides this opportunity for these vehicles to be retrofitted and that's why it's called sort of a recycled ride, because, you know, they've been recycled, but yet they're going to be the rides that these people need.
"It ranks right up there with the special ones that I've been associated with and I'm honored to be a part of it."
The same goes for USAA. They've helped organize and fund numerous charities throughout the company's existence and it's not slowing down anytime soon. It's easy to see why everything is so effective, especially when teaming up with people like Theismann and RGIII.
