It’s the most magical time of the year! NFL playoffs are in full swing with the AFC and NFC Championship games this weekend (and as a lifelong Kansas Citian now living in Virginia, I have to do it: Go Commanders! Go Chiefs! I said what I said.). Football season feels extra special when “regular” people get a chance to go to the most coveted sports game of the year. With the generosity of USAA (an official partner of NFL Salute to Service) and in concert with the American Legion, the dream of going to the Super Bowl is a reality for several lucky veterans. New England Patriots Quarterback Drake Maye was able to gift a deserving veteran and Patriots fan a once-in-a-lifetime experience with two tickets and a trip to New Orleans for the February 9 game. USAA will be coordinating a similar effort with other players around the league. First up, Maye’s surprise for U.S. Army veteran Matt Jabaut.
Jabaut served in the U.S. Army for nearly a decade (1997-2005), achieving the rank of Sergeant. During his service, he earned the Expert Field Medical Badge. He served as a combat medic throughout his Army career, leading medical evacuation and treatment squads, as well as acting as a Retention, EEO, and UPL Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). He completed a combat tour in 2002-2003 to Kuwait and Iraq, and later served as an instructor at the Joint Medical Training Center in Fort Lewis, WA. Following his military career, he has been employed in human resources and remains an active member of Post 202 of The American Legion in Maine, where he is passionate about mentoring and developing the Legion’s next generation of leaders. Jabaut now lives in Lewiston, ME, and will be bringing his fiancé Caroline, who served in the Navy, as his guest to the Super Bowl. Jabaut is a long-time fan of the New England Patriots and one of his favorite players is Drake Maye.
WATCH THE SURPRISE HERE:
Maye has a unique appreciation for service as his grandfather served in the Navy. “It was awesome and a lot of fun getting to surprise Sgt. Matt Jabaut in Portland, Maine, with the news that we were sending him and his fiancé to the Super Bowl,” Maye shared. “Knowing my grandfather served, I have so much respect and gratitude for the men and women who’ve served our country, like Staff Sgt. Jabaut. I’m so excited to have teamed up with USAA and The American Legion to gift Matt this once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I’m looking forward to seeing him again in New Orleans!”
Learn more about USAA and the Salute to Service Award here.