Former NFL Player Turning Bike Ride into Awareness
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: April 16, 2012
Trading
in a self-centered life for one of service: that's what one former NFL
player said he'd done Sunday as he passed through Little Rock.
Former
Pittsburgh Steeler Jeremy Staat joined the Marine Corps after the death
of his friend Pat Tillman.
Now,
he's on a mission to spread awareness on veteran's issues like suicide
and healthcare.
Along
with another vet, he's been biking cross-country: a 100 day trip that
took him through Arkansas this weekend.
Sunday,
he stopped by the VA hospital to meet with fellow vets and their
families, praying over one young man in a coma from his injuries overseas.
Staat
told us he feels like he has to stand up for all who've served.
"No
politician, no professional athlete or actor has given us what our
veterans have given us today and I really think we need to start putting
them first and getting our priorities straight," he said.
Sunday
evening, the group received an award from Little Rock Mayor Mark
Stodola. They'll be hopping back on their bikes for another 40 days,
planning to end up at the Vietnam Memorial in DC by Memorial Day.
