Army veteran Adam Alexander is heading to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas courtesy of the USAA and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – While the Packers may not be making the trip to Vegas, that’s not stopping a Northeast Wisconsin veteran from taking a trip to the big game. It’s courtesy of the USAA and Steelers linebacker TJ Watt.
Staff Sgt. Adam Alexander of Oshkosh was given a 5% chance of survival after being shot in the head while serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan back in 2011.
More than a decade later, as he likes to say, he’s turning his mess into his message continuing to advocate for veterans.
According to Alexander, “The military was done with me far before I was down with it.”
But, that advocacy has led to a number of honors. In 2022 Alexander was named the DAV Veteran of the Year, gracing the cover of the organization’s magazine and appearing on billboards across the country.
He said, “My goal was to be a quiet professional that did things in the dark and never get noticed. But once I got injured, my story kind of had the power to inspire people that I decided that it was more effective to use my stage to try and help inspire people and that’s been my message ever since.”
That message led to a phone call last week from officials with the USAA.
“We’ve seen Adam’s background and we think he’s a great selection,” said Eric Johnson, USAA Military Affairs Representative.
Alexander, a married father of one learned he’s heading to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, courtesy of the USAA.
“I hope they get out of it how much USAA appreciates their service and sacrifice, some of them continue to make to this very day,” added Johnson.
And Alexander will be a guest of Steelers linebacker TJ Watt.
When asked what he’s most looking forward to about going to the game, Alexander said, “Just the general atmosphere and obviously meeting TJ Watt is going to be amazing and being a Wisconsin guy and down to earth midwestern guy.”
He added it won’t be hard, as a Packers fan, to mingle with Watt saying, “He’s still a Badger so he’s got that going for him, but I’ve got nothing against the Steelers in general.”
A statement from the Steelers says “TJ was very appreciative for the opportunity to talk about Adam, and he was so excited to present him with the Super Bowl tickets.”
“This is amazing, unbelievable honor and can’t thank DAV and USAA enough and TJ Watt, so look forward to getting out there and making a lot of connections and hopefully do some good for the veteran community,” added Alexander.
And with the Packers not playing in the Super Bowl, Alexander says he’ll be rooting for the Detroit Lions — if they make it to the big game.
The invitation to the Super Bowl allows Alexander to bring one guest with him to Las Vegas. He’s bringing his father-in-law, a Vietnam-era veteran.
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