I am going to post this here, even...

though it does cover WW2 as well as "sports stars". Here is a rather extensive list of American "Sports heroes" who were also patriots who served in our military. Some of them might surprise you. Probably the most "outstanding" in the football genre was Maurice Lee "Footsie" Britt, Jr. who played briefly for the Detroit Lions. Some of them might just surprise you!

"…In February 1944, Britt was fighting in Italy. He was part of the initial invasion at Anzio, where he won a battlefield promotion to captain. On October 10, 1943, Britt did calisthenics to draw German fire at the battleground of Mignano, Italy, which his fellow soldiers referred to thereafter as "Britt's Junction". He managed to repel the Germans, but he lost his right arm. He was awarded the Congressional Medal Of Honor for his heroism. He also received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. Britt was the first recipient of the top three combat decorations in a single war."


Goto:

A Generation Of Patriots - Sports Stars

 

Clint i know that sport is dangerous, but that gives Winston Churchills words an other sense! How brave or desperate must a man be to do such things? Respects!