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US Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva Signs Contract with Philadelphia Eagles | Bleacher Report
From the battlegrounds in Afghanistan to the gridiron in the City of Brotherly Love. There may be more talented players and ones more likely to make the Philadelphia Eagles roster than Alejandro Villanueva, but arguably none have a better story to tell.
The Eagles signed Villanueva, a former U.S. Army Captain who served three active tours in Afghanistan, to a rookie free-agent contract Monday. Villanueva is expected to play defensive line in Philadelphia and has been attempting a return to football since earlier this year. He participated in April's Super Regional Combine in Detroit, where he caught the eye of Eagles scouts.
Listed at 6'9" and 277 pounds, Villanueva last played football for Army in 2009. Then a wide receiver, he made 34 receptions for 522 yards and five touchdowns as a senior.
In three separate tours in the Middle East, Villanueva earned myriad awards and commendations for his service.
Notably, he received the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, considered the fourth-highest individual award given by the United States military. He earned the honor after pulling wounded soldiers out of danger despite oncoming enemy fire.
From the battlegrounds in Afghanistan to the gridiron in the City of Brotherly Love. There may be more talented players and ones more likely to make the Philadelphia Eagles roster than Alejandro Villanueva, but arguably none have a better story to tell.
The Eagles signed Villanueva, a former U.S. Army Captain who served three active tours in Afghanistan, to a rookie free-agent contract Monday. Villanueva is expected to play defensive line in Philadelphia and has been attempting a return to football since earlier this year. He participated in April's Super Regional Combine in Detroit, where he caught the eye of Eagles scouts.
Listed at 6'9" and 277 pounds, Villanueva last played football for Army in 2009. Then a wide receiver, he made 34 receptions for 522 yards and five touchdowns as a senior.
In three separate tours in the Middle East, Villanueva earned myriad awards and commendations for his service.
Notably, he received the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, considered the fourth-highest individual award given by the United States military. He earned the honor after pulling wounded soldiers out of danger despite oncoming enemy fire.
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