U.S. military members stationed in England at RAF Lakenheath had the opportunity of a lifetime to train like NFL stars, as part of “USAA’s Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp,” just days before the NFL’s London game between the Bears and Jaguars. During this incredible experience, participants competed in drills similar to those used by NFL coaches to evaluate players, including the 40-yard dash, broad jump, three-cone shuttle, receiving gauntlet, and the QB arm challenge. RAF Lakenheath (LKZ) is the largest U.S. Air Force-operated base in England and the only U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) F-35/F-15 fighter wing.
NFL legends Charles “Peanut” Tillman (DB, Chicago) and Maurice Jones-Drew (RB, Jacksonville) were on the field in England, leading military service members in the football drills in a friendly competition between “Team Chicago” and “Team Jacksonville.” Tillman was born in Chicago but was a true military brat, attending 11 different schools during his youth while his father, Donald Tillman Jr., served as a sergeant in the United States Army. Peanut eventually graduated from high school in Texas and went on to play football for the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Peanut graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice and, upon his retirement from the NFL in 2018, joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Deciding to participate in this opportunity with USAA was a no-brainer. “It resonated with me because my dad served in the Army,” he said. “From the time I was born to the time I graduated high school, I lived on military bases. Anytime I can team up with the military and USAA, it’s just cool. I know what those service members go through. I know what it’s like to be away. I know what it’s like to live on a base in another country. Giving back, which is signing a couple autographs and hanging out with them, is like the easiest thing to do. For me, it was fun. I really enjoy it. It’s nostalgic for me. It takes me back to that childhood.”
While service is in Tillman’s blood, the experience certainly wasn’t lost on Jones-Drew, either. “These are people that are willing to pay the ultimate price for our freedom,” he said about the experience. “So, just to get to know them, ask questions. I saw a Raiders fan there, which was awesome. I saw a Jags fan, there was a couple Jags fans there – that was big. Just to talk about the game, and again, every day they have the ability to be called out to duty. To give them that little break and little solace cheering for your team or talking about the Jags or whatever team we were talking about – why they had a bad start or why they had a good start – was the least that I could do to show my gratitude and thanks for what they’ve done and what they are doing.”
After the football camp, Tillman and Jones-Drew visited the flightline and met with pilots to get a tour of the F-35/F-15 fighter wing, and learn about the base operations. At the conclusion of the event, five (5) tickets to Sunday’s game were raffled off to participating military members to watch the Bears and Jaguars play at Tottenham Stadium, courtesy of USAA.
USAA holds the designation of Official Salute to Service Partner of the NFL and Official Salute to Service Partner of the Chicago Bears.
“USAA’s Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp” represents the evolution of authentic military appreciation events that USAA and the NFL have created to foster an understanding and appreciation for the local military community, bringing our military closer to a game they love.