When Alex Anderson suited up for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs as a walk-on safety 10 years ago, he donned the school’s colors – red, white and blue.
Now he fights for those same colors as a petty officer first class with the United States Navy. A few things have changed since his days as a Bulldog.
Alex traded in his shoulder pads, cleats and helmet with the state-and-T logo for a different type of uniform. He traded in the daily adversity and obstacles of a college football player for a different type of physical and mental challenge. And he traded in his battle on the football field for a different type of fight – one that is much more dangerous.
Today, Alex is a Navy SEAL.
An abbreviation for the Navy’s “Sea, Air and Land” Teams, the SEALs are the U.S. Navy's primary special operations force and a component of the Naval Special Warfare Command. They are hard men, in a good way.
And Alex’s story is one of perseverance, hard work and a love for his school and his country. His story is one that should make every Louisiana Tech fan – heck, every American – proud.
Defending his country is not just Alex’s job these days, it’s a way of life for the New Orleans native. And it is something that he doesn’t take lightly.
“It means a lot,” said Alex during a phone interview last week. “We try to stay humble. We don’t like to broadcast our job very often. Whatever is going on back in the states, sometimes people might not think it’s the greatest country in the world, but definitely after going around the world and seeing some different places it means a lot to represent your country and do what your country asks of you.”
The people who are closest to him all echo the same sentiment. Alex Anderson was born to be a protector of this great country.
more
http://www.latechsports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/122216aac.html
great story by Malcolm Butler
Now he fights for those same colors as a petty officer first class with the United States Navy. A few things have changed since his days as a Bulldog.
Alex traded in his shoulder pads, cleats and helmet with the state-and-T logo for a different type of uniform. He traded in the daily adversity and obstacles of a college football player for a different type of physical and mental challenge. And he traded in his battle on the football field for a different type of fight – one that is much more dangerous.
Today, Alex is a Navy SEAL.
An abbreviation for the Navy’s “Sea, Air and Land” Teams, the SEALs are the U.S. Navy's primary special operations force and a component of the Naval Special Warfare Command. They are hard men, in a good way.
And Alex’s story is one of perseverance, hard work and a love for his school and his country. His story is one that should make every Louisiana Tech fan – heck, every American – proud.
Defending his country is not just Alex’s job these days, it’s a way of life for the New Orleans native. And it is something that he doesn’t take lightly.
“It means a lot,” said Alex during a phone interview last week. “We try to stay humble. We don’t like to broadcast our job very often. Whatever is going on back in the states, sometimes people might not think it’s the greatest country in the world, but definitely after going around the world and seeing some different places it means a lot to represent your country and do what your country asks of you.”
The people who are closest to him all echo the same sentiment. Alex Anderson was born to be a protector of this great country.
more
http://www.latechsports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/122216aac.html
great story by Malcolm Butler
