‘Tis the season of gift-giving, and USAA just made things especially magical for two military families. Prior to the 125th Army-Navy game presented by USAA, the company teamed up with legendary Washington Commanders quarterbacks Joe Theismann and Robert Griffin III (RGIII) to surprise both families with the vehicles as well as tickets to this year’s Army-Navy Game.
Theismann said the experience was priceless. “I really appreciate what USAA has done and especially in providing the automobiles for the young people today,” he told WATM at USAA’s Army-Navy Media Row. “I have to tell you a story about Matthew Walker, who was the seaman who received the car. So we get in the car, and he’s just, like, speechless. He’s in the driver’s side and he’s got the keys. He takes the keys and he’s looking for a place to stick the key in the ignition and he couldn’t figure it out. So I said, ‘All you need to do is push that button,’ and he goes, ‘Cool!’ It was fantastic, I mean really priceless. And then on the other side of that, Caleb Dooley (U.S. Army National Guard Spc.), he’s got a 1-year-old son I believe, and he’s been getting rides for the last year and trying to figure out how to get a vehicle, and now he has one. And he says now he can be a full-time dad. It’s just very heartwarming.”
RGIII was also on hand for the giveaway today and has had a very busy week supporting military families. On Wednesday the Heisman Trophy winner hosted “Heroes Huddle,” a football camp sponsored by USAA and in partnership with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. RGIII was born in Okinawa and grew up in a military family; both parents served as U.S. Army sergeants. In an interview with USAA, RGIII explained what this week means to him: “I’ve always looked at USAA as a phenomenal partner, just because of my military background. I’m a military brat — both Mom and Dad served 34 years and the one thing I said when I went pro was that I was never going to forget about the military, never forget where I came from. So, to be able to partner with them during the 125th Army-Navy game … everybody knows it’s America’s game, but I think it’s really a massive thank you to all of our military members, our military caregivers and our future military members… to say thank you for giving us the freedom to play football, to have a good time, to have free speech … none of this is possible if it wasn’t for our military. It’s special and USAA understands that and that’s why I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Recipients of the cars were nominated by nonprofit organizations to receive a Recycled Ride®. With the partnership of the National Auto Body Council (NABC), a non-profit committed to serving their communities, and many in the collision repair industry, vehicles are repaired and donated to those identified as in need of reliable transportation.