A little over a week ago, Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey awarded two Super Bowl tickets to Sergeant Major Luis ‘Chino’ Leiva on behalf of the USAA as part of the NFL’s Salute to Service program.
Semper Fi SgtMaj Luis Leiva at Camp Lejeune! Thank you for nearly 30 years of service to our country and being part of the best defensive team I've ever seen. Proud to present 2 tix to #SBLIV on behalf of @USAA & @MCA_Marines. #SaluteToService pic.twitter.com/so8jqkAb0R
— Christian McCaffrey (@CMC_22) January 22, 2020
Yesterday, while he was visiting the SB Nation booth at Radio Row, he spoke to SBN’s Jeanna Thomas about his work with the USAA and what it means to him to give back to an active member of the military.
This year, you are sending an active duty Sergeant Major to the Super Bowl. His name is Luis ‘Chino’ Leiva. He is in the Marines, and he is going to be going to the Super Bowl with his older brother Jorge, and you are responsible for sending them. So, please tell me how you got involved with the USAA, and what does it mean for you to be able to provide this opportunity to an actual hero?
Yeah, so you know ever since I got in the league we had talks about, you know, philanthropy and what you want to do as far as charities and the military for me was an easy answer because I have such a big heart for, you know, all our veterans and those who are still serving and for me being able to partner up with USAA and do stuff like this is kind of like it’s why you play the game.
You know, you’re able to give back, you’re able to appreciate the things that you do most by giving back and so sending Sergeant Major Leiva to the Super Bowl, you know, him and his brother Jorge, it’s going to be a lot of fun. I get to meet them. Any time I get a chance to, you know, talk with an active duty military member or veteran, I always try to pick their brain and hear from them and take notes, you know, mental notes because I have the utmost respect for anyone who has ever served or is still serving and I think we need to do a better job of, you know, appreciating our military.
You know, this is just a small way I can give back that ends up having a big impact on everybody involved. So I’m very appreciative for USAA and excited to meet Sergeant Major Leiva.
Huge props to McCaffrey for using his platform to give back to one of our active duty military members. In case you missed it, you can read a transcript of the rest of Jeanna’s interview with McCaffrey here.