Jamie Young
New member
So there are still Men in America
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm..._fo_ne/fbn_tillman_s_ranger_quest_2&printer=1
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm..._fo_ne/fbn_tillman_s_ranger_quest_2&printer=1
Football player gives up Millions to join Army
- Thread starter Jamie Young
- Start date
Destructo6
New member
That is pretty studly.
A man among men.
A man among men.
Jamie Young
New member
I believe an NFL guy went into Vietnam and was killed there. And I've used the fact I am self-employed and would lose My business if I went.
Sort of restores a little hope, doesn't it?
Good on him, and I hope he becomes a Ranger. Sounds like he's got the goods physically, and I'm pretty sure that most safties in the NFL are pretty much nuts so he qualifies on that count, too!
BigG,
Not to quibble, but Williams missed 5 seasons ('42-'44, '52-'53) to military service. And yes, it probably would have been his HR total that Aaron surpassed and not Ruth's had he not missed that time, because he was coming off one of the all-time best seasons in baseball history (1941) when he went off to war.
Good on him, and I hope he becomes a Ranger. Sounds like he's got the goods physically, and I'm pretty sure that most safties in the NFL are pretty much nuts so he qualifies on that count, too!
BigG,
Not to quibble, but Williams missed 5 seasons ('42-'44, '52-'53) to military service. And yes, it probably would have been his HR total that Aaron surpassed and not Ruth's had he not missed that time, because he was coming off one of the all-time best seasons in baseball history (1941) when he went off to war.
Let's no forget about Bob Feller.
"The farmboy from Van Meter, Iowa was only 17 when he struck out eight members of the St. Louis Cardinals in three innings of an exhibition game. After this awesome display of pitching, Feller was advised to seek voluntary retirement from high school in order to sign a pro-baseball contract. For twenty years, the teenage phenomena was known as "Bullet Bob" and "Rapid Robert." As a rookie, he struckout 15 batters in a single game, which at that time, was an American League record. In 1940, Bullet Bob became the first American League pitcher to throw a complete game no-hitter on opening-day. At age 23, his career was interrupted by his four-year enlistment in the Navy. Upon entering the Navy, Feller became an anti-aircraft gunner aboard the U.S.S. Alabama and came out a highly decorated war veteran. He then re-entered the majors to regain his dominance on the mound. Even though his military career consumed four prime baseball years, Feller ranks 28th in history with 266 wins. He remains the Indians all-time leader in shutouts (46), strikeouts (2,581), innings (3,828), and All-Star appearances (8). To this day, baseball historians speculate that Bullet Bob might have won 350 games and recorded nearly 3,500 strikeouts had he not joined the military. In 1962, this bullet hit the bulls-eye with an induction into the Hall of Fame.
Ted Williams was, I believe, a fighter pilot in the Marine Corp. and actually flew combat missions. I know he was involved in a crash during his military career.
"The farmboy from Van Meter, Iowa was only 17 when he struck out eight members of the St. Louis Cardinals in three innings of an exhibition game. After this awesome display of pitching, Feller was advised to seek voluntary retirement from high school in order to sign a pro-baseball contract. For twenty years, the teenage phenomena was known as "Bullet Bob" and "Rapid Robert." As a rookie, he struckout 15 batters in a single game, which at that time, was an American League record. In 1940, Bullet Bob became the first American League pitcher to throw a complete game no-hitter on opening-day. At age 23, his career was interrupted by his four-year enlistment in the Navy. Upon entering the Navy, Feller became an anti-aircraft gunner aboard the U.S.S. Alabama and came out a highly decorated war veteran. He then re-entered the majors to regain his dominance on the mound. Even though his military career consumed four prime baseball years, Feller ranks 28th in history with 266 wins. He remains the Indians all-time leader in shutouts (46), strikeouts (2,581), innings (3,828), and All-Star appearances (8). To this day, baseball historians speculate that Bullet Bob might have won 350 games and recorded nearly 3,500 strikeouts had he not joined the military. In 1962, this bullet hit the bulls-eye with an induction into the Hall of Fame.
Ted Williams was, I believe, a fighter pilot in the Marine Corp. and actually flew combat missions. I know he was involved in a crash during his military career.
D.W. Drang
New member
I believe you're talking about Rocky Blier (sp?) who got wounded during Tet but made it back.
P.Henry JR
New member
SodaPop,
The name you're looking for is James Robert Kalsu who was the only American professional athlete to die in combat in Vietnam. He had played offensive line for Oklahoma from 1964 to 1967 and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills. Played one season starting 9 games. He had went through ROTC during college and instead of findling a slot in the reserves (which most pro athletes were able to do when called up)Bob went on active duty. Trained at Fort Sill, OK and left for Vietnam just before Thanksgiving of 1969. On July 21, 1970, he died during an attack on Firebase Ripcord leaving behind his wife Jan, daughter Jill and son Bob, JR (born July 23, 1970).
This information I have from the July 23, 2001 issue of Sports Illustrated when they did a cover story about Lt. Kalsu. (The only reason I happened to save that issue).
The name you're looking for is James Robert Kalsu who was the only American professional athlete to die in combat in Vietnam. He had played offensive line for Oklahoma from 1964 to 1967 and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills. Played one season starting 9 games. He had went through ROTC during college and instead of findling a slot in the reserves (which most pro athletes were able to do when called up)Bob went on active duty. Trained at Fort Sill, OK and left for Vietnam just before Thanksgiving of 1969. On July 21, 1970, he died during an attack on Firebase Ripcord leaving behind his wife Jan, daughter Jill and son Bob, JR (born July 23, 1970).
This information I have from the July 23, 2001 issue of Sports Illustrated when they did a cover story about Lt. Kalsu. (The only reason I happened to save that issue).
TangoRomeo
New member
Good call SodaPop. You're a little quicker on the trigger than I am! I well remember watching Bob play for the University of Oklahoma, as I was in high school at the time. I was stationed at Bien Hoa, RVN in July 1970 when we received the bad news. I can remember sitting in the stands during his high school days and watching him punt the ball almost the entire length of the field during warmups. Great player, great man, great loss.-TR
paratrooper
New member
Let's not forget Roger Staubach . He could have bailed out of Annapolis but didn't . Went over and did a tour with the "Brown Water Navy" .
Modifiedbrowning
New member
I think Pat Tilman is awesome. I wish him the best of luck and a safe way home.
Jamie Young
New member
That's the guy.