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Yesterday was Veterans’ Day, a day when all the brave men and women who have served our great country are honored with a day of remembrance. Over the years there have been lots of stories of professional athletes who served bravely in combat during their youth, including legendary football coach Tom Landry,  baseball star Ted Williams, football’s last 60 minute man – Chuck Bednarik, Steelers’  running back Rocky Bleier and recently,  Cardinals’ safety Pat Tillman, who walked away from his big NFL contract to enlist in the Army after 9/11, then paid the ultimate price for that service, dying in what turned out to be a friendly fire accident in Afghanistan. One other athlete, who wasn’t a big name, was the only pro football player to be killed in action in Vietnam. That player was Bob Kalsu, an offensive lineman out of Oklahoma who appeared to have a bright future in the pros with the Buffalo Bills when he was called to duty. Kalsu had earned a spot in the starting lineup with the Bills in 1968, and was named the team’s Rookie of The Year. Following that season, Kalsu, in order to satisfy his ROTC obligation, entered the Army as a Second  Lieutenant and arrived in Vietnam in November 1969 as part of the 101st Airborne Division. He was killed in action on July 21, 1970 when his unit came under enemy mortar fire at FSB Ripcord near the A Shau Valley.  According to Thomas Militello, who was there the day Kalsu died, “he was killed trying to save the lives of his friends. He was a real hero.”  His plight remained pretty anonymous for years, but in July 2001, Sports Illustrated printed an article bringing his courageous story to light. In 1999, NFL Films produced a feature story on Kalsu that won an Emmy, and a year later the Bills honored Kalsu by adding his name to their “Wall of Fame”. Kalsu’s story is a reminder that in this country’s history, people from all backgrounds, and all walks of life, have paid the ultimate price so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have. Kalsu only played one year for the Bills so his presence on the team’s Wall isn’t for his playing accomplishments, but the fact that 70,000+ fans can enjoy a Sunday afternoon cheering for their team, while living in a free country where all things are possible, is a direct result of the  sacrifice he made. His may be the most deserving name to be honored on that wall.

Western New York servicemen stationed at FOB Kalsu in Iraq.