What is the LETTERMEN of the USA? The LETTERMEN of the USA is a group of former college football players, former coaches and current college coaches who have come together to build a first-class social impact organization. The LETTERMEN works with veterans/wounded veterans, helps our own and works with the inner-city homeless. How did The LETTERMEN get started? The LETTERMEN vision comes out of the tragic events of the tornadoes that struck Alabama on April 27, 2011. While working in the relief effort in the cleanup operations in Tuscaloosa, AL it was recognized that broader efforts were needed to help with the recovery efforts in the state of Alabama. Former Alabama players were participating in the efforts. Auburn sent a contingent to help. As a result of this rivalry being put aside to help others, contact was made with several former Alabama and Auburn football players to see if they’d be interested in participating in a flag football game to help raise funds for Alabama recovery. The response was overwhelming with more than 200 former players participating. How did it create the vision of the LETTERMEN? The first event taught us that there is still an affinity for players and teams after they've finished playing. The community supports the efforts of former athletes doing work for the community. Regardless of the color of the jersey, former athletes can garner support from the community to serve the community. As a result, The LETTERMEN organization can make a positive impact in the community and for the community. Since that time, we’ve developed programs to train first responders, raise awareness about traumatic brain injury, assist former players who need help, and lift the spirits of wounded warriors returning home with our “Autographs for Heroes©” program. When a wounded warrior comes home, we greet him at the airport gate with a football signed by his gridiron favorites.