The Miami Dolphins won’t be making the trip to Las Vegas, Nevada in early February to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium, but quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is helping one NFL fan get there.
Tagovailoa teamed up with USAA, the NFL’s official Salute to Service partner, and the Marine Corps Association to gift a military veteran and his brother a once-in-a-lifetime experience that includes a trip to the Super Bowl.
Miami’s quarterback will meet Purple Heart recipient John “Jonesy” Jones, who served in the United States Marine Corps from 1995-2007 when he was assigned to multiple units and served in various roles, eventually achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant.
During Jones’ 12 years of service, he was deployed to Japan, Bahrain, Yemen, Iraq, Spain, Germany and Thailand. He lost both of his legs below the knees after his vehicle ran over an anti-tank mine in 2005.
“Whenever I face setbacks, challenges or adversity in my football career, I always find inspiration from the men and women in the military who bravely serve our country,” Tagovailoa said. “No one is more inspiring in the face of adversity than Staff Sergeant John “Jonesy” Jones. I’m humbled by the opportunity to join with USAA and the Marine Corps Association to award him with a trip to the Super Bowl, and I can’t wait to learn from him and show my thanks when we meet in Las Vegas.”
Tagovailoa has done a lot of great work away from the football field, and this is just the most recent example of the type of person that he is.