BlitzburghRockCity
02-19-2012, 10:31 AM
Remember this guy? Never panned out in the NFL but he's doing pretty big things now.
Drafted by the Steelers in the second round out of Arizona State University in 1998, Staat was a character off the field and underachiever on it, a defensive lineman who rarely applied his impressive physical attributes. From 1998 to 2000, he started just two games for the team.
Staat failed with two other teams before playing long enough with the St. Louis Rams to earn his National Football League pension. Afterward, he enlisted, fought with the Marines in Iraq and began speaking to kids about education and life lessons. He formed the Jeremy Staat Foundation to raise money and bring attention to veterans' issues. He hopes to build a privately funded veterans medical center in Bakersfield, his hometown.
For the next 3 1/2 months, Staat, 35, will spread the word from a $5,000 bike custom-made to support his 6-foot-6, 290-pound frame. Barrientos, 27, will use a special bike built for a double amputee. He lost his legs when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in 2007 during his third tour of duty in Iraq. His arms propel the bike.
Entire story From the Trib (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_782367.html#ixzz1mqGjt6sJ)
Drafted by the Steelers in the second round out of Arizona State University in 1998, Staat was a character off the field and underachiever on it, a defensive lineman who rarely applied his impressive physical attributes. From 1998 to 2000, he started just two games for the team.
Staat failed with two other teams before playing long enough with the St. Louis Rams to earn his National Football League pension. Afterward, he enlisted, fought with the Marines in Iraq and began speaking to kids about education and life lessons. He formed the Jeremy Staat Foundation to raise money and bring attention to veterans' issues. He hopes to build a privately funded veterans medical center in Bakersfield, his hometown.
For the next 3 1/2 months, Staat, 35, will spread the word from a $5,000 bike custom-made to support his 6-foot-6, 290-pound frame. Barrientos, 27, will use a special bike built for a double amputee. He lost his legs when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in 2007 during his third tour of duty in Iraq. His arms propel the bike.
Entire story From the Trib (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_782367.html#ixzz1mqGjt6sJ)