In Part One and Part Two of Alejandro Villanueva’s journey to the NFL, I told a little about our experience successfully converting him from lineman to wide receiver. Today, I’d like to share a bit about his experiences after West Point – his time before he made the Steelers’ roster.

You might be wondering how Ali ended up at West Point in the first place. It’s the same reason he branched infantry and later became a Ranger – his desire for selfless service. Not by talk but by action.

Ali chose to serve three tours in Afghanistan – a life that is about as far as you can get from the hotels he’ll now stay in on read games, and the attention the NFL has in America.

Ali as Cadet at West Point (CBS Sports)

Ali in the US Army

Ali returned to West Point for a visit Easter 2012, coming down from Fort Drum, New York where he was posted. We spent two straight days throwing the football and running routes, getting ready to film him. Basically a football “mini-camp” just for Ali. Proudly, my arm never quite bounced back from that experience.

From a physical perspective, Ali was very intriguing to NFL teams.  He had played in the Shrine Game after the 2009 season and spent some time with the Bengals in a mini-camp. Creating a workout tape was a way to gauge interest. It was a smart thing to do.  One on a long list for Ali.

It was a time to get to know him in a different way – as more than just a coach-player relationship. My family welcomed his stay with us that Easter weekend and to thank us, he brought us a beautiful Fort Drum throw and gave our young daughter a Fort Drum bear that she still snuggles. He attended services and had dinner with my family as well.

This was Ali’s first time back at West Point after graduating, and he said he felt like he was a toy visiting the toy factory from which he was made.

All told, Ali has worn a Bengals jersey, a Bears jersey, an Eagles jersey and now a Steelers jersey (images below – multiple internet sources). But it is the jersey he chose to put on for the US Army that is most impressive and reveals who he is. It has been a most improbable path to where he will be this Sunday, week 7 of this 2015 season.

Alejandro Villaneuva’s Journey to NFL Starter

I came across a video of this preseason’s Hall of Fame Game with the Steelers and Vikings. The announcers spent some time on Ali, talking about his Bronze Star and his military service. But I also heard the slight chuckles and flippant remarks about how the Taliban had not been able to hit the huge 6-foot 9-inch tall guy. It was just for a moment but the frustration struck me hard. Ali is a leader of men, not a punch line. Military service, in any form, is not funny.

“Leave no man behind” means something different to Ali. True valor is no joke. And it will it never be a laughing matter for for all the millions of service men and women who sacrifice daily. All I could think was that too many people really have no idea about all of this.

My hope is that Ali’s presence in the NFL will put a new spotlight on the sacrifices and contributions of our military. That the media will come to know Ali as I do, as his fellow Army Rangers do, and now how his Steelers’ teammates know him.

The Plain at USMA, West Point (Panoramio.com)

If you want to know why the United States of America is the best country in the world, travel to West Point. Sit quietly in the bleachers at the edge of the Plain in front of the barracks at 4:55pm. Take a moment to sit and watch what happens in the next five minutes. These are young men and women who bring honor to our great nation. And Ali Villanueva is a great representation of this. It will be exciting to watch such an honorable young man take the field this Sunday.

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In our final installment on Alejandro Villanueva, I will share a few notes from our latest visit – before a Monday night game in San Diego.

Part One – USMA

Part Two – Wide Receiver

Part Three – Service

Part Four – NFL