Wounded Warrior Project Recognized at NFL Draft
NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Millions of eyes were fixated on the stage at First and Broadway. And Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) was right in the middle of it.
Three warriors stood at attention during the national anthem at the 2019 NFL Draft. For a moment, Bill Jones, Dominic Napolitan, and Melvin Gatewood were at the center of the sports world.
"I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be," Melvin said. "I often tell myself in those situations, 'I'm not in Iraq with the enemy shooting at me so why be scared?'"
Not only were the warriors in the limelight, but so was the cause they care about.
"I have received numerous emails and texts thanking me for standing up and representing Wounded Warrior Project," Dominic said.
"Wearing the logo and sharing the great things Wounded Warrior Project has done for me was the highlight of the event," Melvin said. "There is always a sense of pride wearing the Wounded Warrior Project logo. I am actually thinking about getting it tattooed on my leg."
WWP and the NFL have left an indelible mark on countless veterans' lives. Three warriors were surprised in January with tickets to the Super Bowl. More than 40 others interacted with NFL stars at the Pro Bowl in Orlando in 2018. The NFL provides crucial support for WWP's mental and physical health programs. It also gives warriors a stage to spotlight how WWP has changed their lives.
"What other organization gives a veteran such as myself an opportunity this big?" Bill said. "I have had so much benefit from being a warrior that I couldn't imagine a life without that support. If by being on stage I can bring other veterans to Wounded Warrior Project, I will gladly use that platform to do so."
Learn more about ways you can support WWP.
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers – helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.
SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project
