The NFL has partnered with the USAA for many years. Together, they have brought attention and awareness to military members—both former and active. One way they are spreading awareness is through the "USAA's Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp." The NFL and USAA hold events throughout the offseason with the help of certain teams. The Chicago Bears held their second annual event back in August. These boot camps and other Salute to Service events also help raise money for different military organizations, charities and foundations.
During these boot camp events, military members are divided into teams and compete in drills similar to those used by NFL coaches to evaluate NFL players, including the 40-yard dash, broad jump, three-cone shuttle, receiving gauntlet, and the QB arm challenge. This year, the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars partnered with the USAA to host an international version of the boot camp in London.
Before the Chicago Bears dominated the Jaguars, Charles Tillman and Maurice Jones-Drew led military service members in the football drills in a friendly competition between "Team Chicago and "Team Jacksonville." The event took place at the Royal Air Force Lakenheath Military Base. RAF Lakenheath is the largest U.S. Air Force-operated base in England.
The Bears co-host an International 'USAA Salute to Service Boot Camp'
Charles Tillman and Maurice Jones-Drew at a USAA Salute to Service Boot Camp event that took place while the Bears/Jags were in England.
— Rob Schwarz Jr. (@ChiRuxinBGO) October 18, 2024
I have attended the event at Halas Hall and it is an awesome event put on by both the USAA and Chicago Bears. pic.twitter.com/JE23kOe8SD
As someone who has attended one of these boot camp events, let me tell you that it is great seeing active military members experience the game of football in a way that brings them even closer to a game they love. At the same time, this event was a little different as Charles Tillman and Maurice Jones-Drew actually worked with the service members. The two former players were also able to get a taste of what it is like to do some service work. While in London, Charles Tillman had this to say about the event:
"We did a little mini Combine for the soldiers out here. We are out here in England. We are here on behalf of the Salute to Service USAA and they did this combine for the soldiers and it has been a lot of fun. I have done a lot of USO events, but I have never changed munitions on a jet before. Actually carrying a bomb. I helped unload a missle. That was a bucket-list type thing so that was pretty cool."Charles Tillman
Tillman also talked about how there were many Chicago Bears fans in attendance around the area. He talked about how Bears fans travel well in comparison to many teams -- including the Jaguars.
"There are a lot of Bears fans. I am happy that there were more Bears fans and only a few Jacksonville Jaguars fans. Obviously, Bears fans I think we just travel well. We travel literally all over the world. We are placed all over the globe. You cannot say that about the Jacksonville Jaguars."Charles Tillman
Tillman was very honored to be a part of the event. His father was part of the Army for over 20 years and Tillman lived overseas at different times of his life.
"They are the ones that do the real work. Whether you are a cook, a secretary, a pilot, an infantry munitions loader, unloader, a pilot, whatever. Man, we all got stories. We all need something. We are all doing our part, and they’re all serving in some kind of way. My job, if I fly out here and take a picture with you, and that’s all you need and want, hey, man, I am cool with that. I want to sign as many pictures and take as many pictures and just talk to the many service members as I can and just hear their stories and see what they’re about.”"Charles Tillman
If you or any of your family members are part of the military, then definitely look into what the USAA has to offer. Founded in 1922 by a group of military officers, USAA is among the leading providers of insurance, banking, and retirement solutions. It serves more than 13.5 million members of the U.S. military, veterans who have honorably served, and their families. For more information about USAA, check out their site "here."
Let's all enjoy the bye week and get ready for Bears vs Commanders in Week 8. If you didn't see it, check out Charles Tillman comparing U.S. and U.K. foods while in London too.