On this Memorial Day, it’s more important to pay homage to those who served and sacrificed for this nation. While many of us will partake in a few adult beverages, hit the beach or pool and grub on some great All-American food, that’s not what this weekend is all about.
It’s about those who gave up everything to serve, and in some cases, die for the United States that we hold so dear. Memorial Day is about those who died for the freedom we have, but we figured it made sense to focus specifically on some professional athletes that served in the military.
Here are a few stories of some professional athletes you might not know served in the military.
Cecil Travis (MLB)
Travis recorded five hits in his first ever MLB game in 1933 and led the American League in hits in 1941. The shortstop finishied his big-league career with a .314 batting average, which still ranks No. 1 at that position in baseball history.
Travis, who played for the old Washington Senators (now the Baltimore Orioles Minnesota Twins), joined the Army in 1941 and was deployed to Europe in 1944 where he took part in the Battle of the Bulge, eventually suffering from frostbite. After returning home, Travis attempted a comeback, but was never the same player. He retired in 1947.
Rocky Bleier (NFL)
Bleier played one season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968 before he was drafted into service. He then volunteered for service in Vietnam and was deployed in 1969. He was shot in the leg during an ambush in 1969, suffering injuries that doctors indicated would prevent him from playing football again.
After receiving both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, Bleier returned to the states where he worked himself back into football shape. He took part in Steelers training camp that summer, playing for a decade and winner four Super Bowls. Bleier put up nearly 4,000 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns in his career.
Art Donovan, Baltimore Colts (NFL)
Donovan is better known for what he did on the field for the Baltimore Colts from 1953-1961. He earned five trips to the Pro Bowl and won two NFL Championships during that span, eventually being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968. He served with former President George H.W. Bush on USS San Jacinton during World War II before being deployed to Okinawa with the Marines.
Ted Williams (MLB)
Williams, one of the greatest baseball players to ever take the field, lost five years of his MLB career serving in the United States Military. He enlisted immediately after earning the American League Triple Crown in 1942, eventually serving as a flight instructor in World War II and a combat pilot in Korea. On the field, Williams earned 17 trips to the All-Star Game and is still the last player to bat .400.
Bob Kalsu (NFL)
Kalsu played one season with the Buffalo Bills in 1968 before being deployed to Vietnam and was killed in July of 1970. In a tragic turn, his wife gave birth to their second child just hours before she was notified of her husbands death. Rumors of Kalsu’s death include a story that he was killed running out to meet a helicoptor that was informing him of his child’s birth. He was the only professional athlete to die in the Vietnam War.
Joe Louis (Boxer)
Louis decided to enlist in the Army immediately after taking part in a charity boxing event for the military. Louis, who held the World Heavyweight Title from 1937-1949, primary goal while in the military and being assigned to a segregated unit, was to help blacks enlist in the military. Once Louis was relieved of his duties in the military, he became the first black to compete in a PGA event in 1952.
Bob Feller (MLB)
Feller volunteered for service in World War II immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor. In doing so, he became the first MLB player to do so. The Hall of Fame pitcher spent four years in the military as an anti-aircraft gun captain on the USS Alabama.
Yogi Berra (MLB)
Before he was known as a light-hearted character for the New York Yankees, Berra took part in the D-Day invasion of Normandy Beach in June of 1944. Acting a gunners-mate for a Navy boat, Berra saw nearly 1,500 Americans die in the ultimate battle of the war. One year later, Berra was making his debut for the Yankees. The rest is history.
Pat Tillman (NFL)
Known for his dedication to the United States and willingness to give up millions to join the military, Tillman is the perfect example of the hero that we are celebrating on Memorial Day. Deciding to turn down $3.6 million from the Arizona Cardinals to enlist following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Tillman was eventually deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was killed by friendly fire on April 22, 2004 in the Afghan village of Sperah near the Pakistan border. Check out our piece on Tillman from the 10-year anniversary of his death last month for more information.