The Super Bowl is a date marked on the calendars of many Americans. For Super Bowl LVII, Minnesota Vikings and All-Pro NFL Wide Receiver Justin Jefferson teamed up with USAA and Jewish War Veterans to send a deserving veteran to the game.
In 1975, Bruce Legan enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. After basic training, he attended Electricity, Electronics, and Radar School where he graduated with honors. Legan served at Camp Lejeune until he was honorably discharged at the rank of Lance Corporal in 1976. After leaving the Marine Corps, he went back to school and earned a BA in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota, an MA in Mathematics from Oklahoma State University, and a PhD in Mathematics from Kansas State University.
In 1987, Legan went back into the military, this time joining the Army National Guard. Stationed in Kansas, he served as a tracked vehicle repairman and vehicle dispatcher. Legan went on to serve in Louisiana where he was a heavy equipment operator. In 1995, he left the Army with an honorable discharge at the rank of Specialist.
Aside from his military service, Legan used his degrees to research and teach Mathematics for 35 years. Now living in St. Paul, Minnesota, he is an active and longstanding member of the Jewish War Veterans, a veterans service organization. Legan is also a member of the Fort Snelling Memorial Rifle Squad, a volunteer veteran honor guard that participates in ceremonies and funerals for their fellow veterans. As an avid Minnesota Vikings fan, Jefferson was a natural pick to surprise Legan with his tickets to the Super Bowl.
Legan was in disbelief when Jefferson told him he was going to the Super Bowl. “For real? No joke?” Legan asked when he received the oversized ticket. Jefferson presented him with a second ticket to bring a guest. Legan will be attending the Super Bowl with his brother, Mark.
“Having the opportunity to meet military veteran, Bruce Legan, to thank him for his service to our country and for being a Vikings fan was made better when I had the opportunity to surprise him with tickets to the Super Bowl,” Jefferson said. “It’s a special honor to team up with USAA and the Jewish War Veterans to honor Bruce, who continues to serve his fellow veterans.”