In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, NFL-hopeful Brandon O’Brien is choosing to serve his country, rather than fulfill his NFL dream. O’Brien’s decision is reminiscent of Arizona Cardinals’ Pat Tillman’s decision to return to Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks, a move that proved fatal. Tillman fell victim to “friendly fire” during his second tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2004.
O’Brien had aspirations of jumping from the ranks of the NAIA into the pros. O’Brien played at Montana State University after serving four years in the Marines. The 30-year-old wide receiver was still dead-set on realizing his dreams of playing professional football, despite his age and the level of football he’s been competing in the last few years.
After two blasts seemingly took away the innocence of the prestigious race, O’Brien felt that his life goals had changed. Andy Fenelon of NFL.com reports that the NFL-hopeful elected to re-enlist in the Marines.
The events “left (a) big hole in his heart,” agent Brad Berkowitz told Fenelon.
Rather than seeing his hard work and training regiment pay off in the form of an NFL roster spot, O’Brien will instead defend our country. The former Marine is choosing to forego his newest dream in order to carry out an old one, but his sacrifice makes his decision all the more noble.
It is the people like Brandon O’Brien that make the U.S.A. the best country in the world, and our hats go off to this brave individual. May he return home safely so that he can one day make and NFL debut.
