News>Academy grad, Eagles WR gets close shave at training camp
Photos
Service members pose with Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Chad Hall during the Eagles training camp at the Air Force Academy, Colo., Aug.1, 2012. The troops helped Hall shave his head in honor of those who serve in the military.
(U.S. Army photo/Capt. Antonia Greene)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Chad Hall signs an autograph for Sgt. 1st Class Manuel Roman after the Eagles training camp practice which was held at the Air Force Acadmey, Colo., Aug 1, 2012. Hall is a former Air Force Academy
graduate. (U.S. Army photo/Capt. Antonia Greene)
8/3/2012 - BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AFNS) -- The best, most memorable play of wide receiver Chad Hall's three-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles occurred after Wednesday's training camp practice at Lehigh University
Hall, a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and a former second lieutenant stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Salt Lake City, shaved his head at midfield as an effort to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project. He was joined on the field by 300 members of the five branches of the U.S. armed forces as part of the team's annual Military Day at training camp.
"I'm really just trying to take our minds off us and really appreciate these guys and what they do for our country," Hall said Wednesday. "We're fighting on the field, but it's so minuscule to what these people do for us. They're overseas fighting for our freedom every day."
After practice ended, members of the military joined Eagles backup quarterback Trent Edwards, guard Evan Mathis and several other players in shaving Hall's head.
The last person to take hold of the razor was Wounded Warrior Project representative Shane Parsons, a retired sergeant with the U.S. Army.
Six years ago, Parsons was on a mission in Rhamadi, Iraq, when anti-coalition forces attacked his convoy. A roadside bomb detonated under his Humvee. Parsons, now 26, suffered a severe anoxic brain injury. He also suffered three cardiac arrests, underwent 15 operations, and eventually had both legs amputated above the knee.
Parsons is now able to read on a first-grade level. On Monday, he realized his dream of becoming an assistant football coach at Fostoria St. Wendelin Junior High School in his hometown of Fostoria, Ohio, just outside Toledo.
"I'm helping to coach the offensive line because I was an offensive lineman in high school," Parsons said Wednesday. "I actually played against 'Big Ben' (Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger) in high school. I went to Fostoria and he went to Findlay and we were big rivals. He beat us, but it was a good game.
"I just want to do whatever I can to help kids realize their dreams and teach them how to focus and fight for what they believe in. That's my motto. Nothing can keep me down. I ski, I skydive, I do a lot of things. I don't like to hear anyone say, 'I can't.' That's not in my vocabulary."
(Reprinted with permission: Press of Atlantic City, N.J.)
Comments
8/10/2012 11:50:12 AM ET Chad Hall's play for the Eagles over the past several years has been inspiring...a singular version of what the AF Falcons produce on the college gridiron self-less team oriented athletes who never give up and usually produce results way above what their physical size would predict. This effort on behalf of the Wounded Warrior Project is just another indicator of his character. Fly Eagles Fly and Go Falcons
Bull, San Antonio TX
8/6/2012 8:04:08 PM ET MSgt ret in Niceville. Please check the caption info embedded in both photos written by Capt Antonia Green. The double check is back in your court.
D. Rogers, C. Springs CO.
8/6/2012 5:20:32 PM ET @MSgt Ret You are correct. The ARTICLE doesn't say the practice was at the USAFA but the text for both of the PHOTOS does. Either way the fact-checking of this article was decidedly lacking.
KR, Sheppard AFB
8/6/2012 10:35:54 AM ET @D. Rogers nowhere in the article did it say the camp was in the Springs. Also it was a story that was reprinted from the Press of Atlantic City NJ. Double-check goes both ways.
MSgt Ret, Niceville FL
8/4/2012 12:49:08 AM ET Am I the only one confused here Why would the Eagles fly to Colorado Springs to have training camp at the USAF Academy Was the camp held in PA or CO I would think it was PA considering the soldier in photo 2 is sporting a Keystone patch. Also Chad Hall isn't a FORMER USAF Academy grad. He is and always will be a grad. He is however correctly identified as a former lieutenant. Please double check future articles prior to posting.
