Memorial Day and Sports

By: Greg Rector

January 1984 I put my feet inside painted lines at the United States Marine Corps Recruiting Depot in San Diego. I was nineteen years old when I swore the military oath of enlistment. I would spend the next 15 years serving to protect and defend the most sacred document in the history of the United States, the Constitution, from all enemies both foreign and domestic. I was deployed to the Persian Gulf War and twice to the former Yugoslavia during my service career. I am a survivor, not a hero. That honor on every Memorial Day is for those who paid with their lives, making the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this nation. Sadly, around 1.3 million men and women have done this in the country’s history. That’s the reason why Memorial Day is for the fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, it’s not for those of us who have served are or currently serving. Old guys like me have Veteran’s Day to be recognized. Those 1.3 million souls are the real heroes. Primarily athletes have been serving and dying for the nation from the First World War onward basically since the advent of pro sports. Most recently Pat Tillman is the most recognizable athlete who has died in service. His story is well known. I want to recognize some of those other heroes here.

Nile Clark Kinnock (July 9, 1918 – June 2, 1943)

If you are from the midwest, especially the state of Iowa, you know who Kinnock was. Kinnock was in the late 1930’s the best player by far on a Hawkeyes team that finally began to challenge the far more powerful teams like Minnesota, Michigan, and even the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. His football exploits while at Iowa are still talked about, so much so that in 1972 the Iowa Hawkeye’s home stadium was re-named in his honor. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1939. On June 2, 1943, Ensign Kinnick was on a routine training flight from the aircraft carrier USS Lexington which was off the coast of Venezuela in the Gulf of Paria, Kinnick had been flying for over an hour when his F4F Grumman Wildcat developed an oil leak so serious that he could neither reach land nor the Lexington, whose flight deck was in any case crowded with planes preparing for launch. Kinnick followed standard military procedure and executed an emergency landing in the water, but died in the process. Rescue boats arrived on the scene a mere eight minutes later, but they found only an oil slick. His body was never recovered. Nile Kinnick was the first Heisman Trophy winner to die; he was a month and seven days away from his 25th birthday.

James Robert Kalsu (April 13, 1945 – July 21, 1970)

Before Tillman Kalsu was the last NFL player to die while serving in the military. Kalsu had been an All-American tackle at the University of Oklahoma. He was drafted in the 8th round of the then AFL/NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills in 1968, going on to be named the Bills rookie of the year. However back then during a time when there was still a draft, most athletes also joined the ROTC programs at their universities. Kalsu was no different. During his offseason, he was meeting his required ROTC obligation and enlisted as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was with the 101st Airborne division and on that fateful July date, his unit was under a mortar attack when he was killed.

Don Steinbrunner (April 5, 1932 – July 20, 1967)

While he may have had just one season in the NFL in 1953 Steinbrunner ended his football career and joined the United States Air Force in 1954. His plane was shot down in 1966 and he died along with 4 other crew members. He was awarded both the Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. One of only two former NFL players killed during the Vietnam War.

Elmer Gedeon (April 15, 1917 – April 20, 1944)

Gedeon was a standout multi-sport athlete at the University of Michigan, playing baseball, football, and running track. On the track, he tied the then world record for the high hurdles. Baseball was his choice for a professional career and he was with the Washington Senators organization. He was drafted in 1941 and became a bomber pilot, being shot down with his B-26 crew over France in 1944 and perishing.

Hobey Baker(January 15, 1892 – December 21, 1918)

For anyone who has watched NCAA hockey the annual award for the best NCAA hockey player is awarded the Hobey Baker trophy in his honor. He was a standout player for the Princeton Tigers. Leading the Tigers to three national championships. He was also a very good football player for Princeton. During World War One Baker enlisted and served with three different “Aero Squadrons,” as the new era of pilots was known. On what should have been his last day of service before returning home, Baker was killed on a training mission.

Those are just 5 of 22 stories that are known of athletes who gave their lives in service to the United States. They are HEROES, those of us who have served and lived are only survivors. While you celebrate the holiday in whatever manner you choose, never forget them nor any of the 1.3 million who have died so you are able to enjoy the holiday. Never forget the reason for the holiday.

P.S.

I want to echo the absolute frustration witnessed by Steve Kerr last week, Dan Lebatard, and others today over yet another senseless tragedy, this time in Uvalde, Texas. Sadly this loss of 19 innocent lives of eight, nine, and ten year old children, along with two adults casts yet another pall over this upcoming long weekend. I have witnessed tragic scenes at home and abroad. When it involves such young innocent victims just two days away from starting their summer vacations, it’s truly heartbreaking. If you want to celebrate a HERO this weekend I ask you to make that hero Eva Mireles the 4th-grade teacher killed protecting her students. May she and the other victims rest in peace.

As always you can find me on Twitter @GregCowboys