Memorial Day weekend is here, a time to honor the military heroes who gave their lives in service to the country. Among them were several college football players whose journeys extended far beyond the field, turning them into fallen warriors remembered for their sacrifice.

1. Chuck Braidwood

American football player Charles Grant "Chuck" Braidwood is remembered still today for his wartime sacrifices. He did not pass away directly because of war, but during deployment on Biak Island in Indonesia. He had a heart attack.

Braidwood is remembered as part of the group of athletes whose careers intersected with wartime service. Born on October 15, 1903, in Chicago, Illinois, he played for different NFL teams during his career. That included Portsmouth Spartans (1930), Cleveland Indians (1931), Chicago Cardinals (1932), and Cincinnati Reds (1933).

2. Mike Basca

Mike Basca was born in 1917 and was a Villanova University star. He played halfback for the Philadelphia Eagles. From there, he enlisted in Pearl Harbor. He served as a tank commander in the U.S. Army’s 4th Armored Division. Basca lost his life in Obreck, France, on November 11, 1944.

3. Charlie Behan

Charlie Behan played for Northern Illinois University. He played as an end. From there, he moved on to the Detroit Lions, where he played one season with them.

He was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism at the battlefront.

4. Keith Birlem

Not just a talented quarterback, Keith Birlem was a US Army Air Forces officer too. A trained pilot. He represented San José State University, where he played quarterback and earned induction into the San José State Sports Hall of Fame. He also appeared in six games for the Chicago Cardinals.

5. Al Blozis

Six years back, the New York Giants remembered Al Blozis through a very special message. They shared a touching message on their website to address him and another fallen comrade, Jack Lummus.

"It is also a time for the Giants family to remember Medal of Honor recipient Jack Lummus and Al Blozis, two members of the franchise's Ring of Honor who were killed in World War II," the message read

Just like Lummus, Blozis, too, gave away his life on the battlefield. He went on to look for his men who were patrolling the enemy lines and never returned.

6. Young Bussey

Young Bussey is probably one of the most notable players to lose his life at war. Bussey was born in 1917 and was a college football star at Louisiana State University (LSU). He was drafted by the Chicago Bears and played two seasons. However, the war didn't let him leave.

His vessel came under heavy Japanese onslaught during the invasion of Luzon. He was just 27 years old and was posthumously honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s “Football and America” exhibit.

7. Jack Chevigny

Before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Chevigny was a Notre Dame football player and coach. He was a halfback under legendary coach Knute Rockne.

Chevigny's tying touchdown was immortalized by Rockne's famous quote, "That’s one for the Gipper,” which has now become a part of folklore. Chevigny was part of the Iwo Jima battle from which he never returned in 1945.

8. Ed Doyle

Ed Doyle was part of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He also played for the now-defunct Frankford Yellow Jackets in the NFL.

Doyle was part of the 168th Infantry Regiment and was in Algiers, French Morocco, when he lost his life. The year was 1942.

9. Grassy Hinton

J.W. “Grassy” Hinton played for Texas Christian University (TCU) as a quarterback and was a multi-sport athlete. He also played one season in the NFL before serving as a U.S. Army Air Corps officer in World War II. He is widely remembered as the first-ever touchdown scorer inside Amon G. Carter Stadium against Arkansas.

10. Smiley Johnson

Howard White "Smiley" Johnson played for the University of Georgia. Following this, he also played for the Green Bay Packers. Johnson also sacrificed himself at the Battle of Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. He earned two Silver Stars for his gallantry.

His name, Smiley, came about because of his upbeat personality. He also happens to be the third NFL player to go down at Iwo Jima. Jack Chevigny and Jack Lummus were the other two.

Long after their football careers ended, these players became symbols of sacrifice far bigger than the game itself. This Memorial Day, their stories remain a reminder that some legacies are built not just on the field, but in service to something greater.

Read more at the Michigan Football Community

Written by

Sourav Ganguly

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote