Sports stats



ABA Salutes Marine Corp PFC Jeremy Staat

March 19, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release


Indianapolis, IN. The ABA Salutes Marine Corp PFC Jeremy Staat. Jeremy got his first glimpse of the Marine Corps while playing football for Arizona State University. Having a friend in the Marines, who showed him photos of his tour in the desert, Staat starting thinking what-if I could do that? However, he continued with football and started playing in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams and one year in arena football with the Los Angeles Avengers. During his college years, he became good friends, roommate and teammate with Pat Tillman. Tillman, as you know, left the NFL to serve in the Army and was killed in action in 2004. Following Tillman's death, Staat decided to stay in the NFL for the retirement package and then joined the Marines at the age of 29.

According to Staat, his reasons for joining went beyond the tragic passing of his friend. "The big reason was I was just really disgusted with the amount of money entertainers get and what the pay troops overseas. It didn't seem right that we pay all those entertainers millions to catch a football and we pay our Marines pennies to a dollar to catch a bullet. I wanted to be part of something that is going to live forever instead of getting trophies."

Once he arrived for training at Marine Corps Depot San Diego, Staat really tried to keep his past a secret. However, less than 5 hours after he arrived the secret was out, thanks to a very inquisitive drill instructor. "Stepping away from the life of an entertainer to enjoy the priceless experience of Marine Corps boot camp, I couldn't feel more at home. I would wake up every day and smile. Recruits would look at me like I was crazy, but I am just happy to be here, to be on the practice field as big as Camp Pendleton is crazy," said Staat. Staat graduates the Depot as a squad leader and a new Marine.

He not only epitomizes what a true Marine is; he is an example of a true-blooded American. An American willing to give up money and fam to be a part of something bigger, to serve and give back to his country and support a cause he believes in. The ABA Salutes you, PFC Staat, your fellow Marines and all service members. Thank you for the protection and safety you provide for America and for your dedication, sacrifice and commitment to your country.

Salute is a not-for-profit program through the ABA (www.abalive.com). Salute raises funds through the sales of its Salute Brand merchandise, ABA sports memorabelia auctions and raffles. The funds raised help our service members and their families through various means. Please log onto www.abasalute.com for more information or for questions and comments, email Jennifer Hester, ABA Salute Coordinator, at jennifer@abasalute.com.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.

• Discuss this story on the American Basketball Association message board...

American Basketball Association Stories from March 19, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central