This past weekend, I had the opportunity to celebrate the 2025 United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE) Football Reunion with some of my teammates and competitors. Approximately 200 former officials, coaches, players and their families gathered in San Antonio, TX to celebrate the league’s history and legacy. In my view, football and military service are two sides of the same coin: discipline, sacrifice, preparation, teamwork, and execution.

USAFE football was a military league that existed from 1946 – 1993 and originated to provide entertainment for service members and their families stationed in Europe.  During the Cold War, American servicemen stationed across Europe played full-tackle football in a league that brought community, competition, and a slice of home that helped build morale and unity. The league is considered a precursor to modern professional European football leagues.

Teams were arranged into three geographic conferences, the: United Kingdom Sports Conference (bases in the United Kingdom), Continental Sports Conference (bases in Germany and France), and the Mediterranean Sports Conference (bases in Italy and Greece).

Playing football in Europe served more than just a recreational purpose. It was a form of camaraderie, morale building, and a cultural bridge to home. Many servicemembers, far from American soil, found in USAFE football a slice of familiarity and competition to connect around.
The games also drew families, dependents, and local host-nation audiences — sometimes becoming social events on base. Over time, rivalries fostered and traditions were built that survived even beyond the league’s active years.

As a former player and strong safety for the Wiesbaden Flyers from 1981-83, I have many takeaways from my playing days, to include the importance of hard work, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance through success and disappointment. As players, we didn’t care about color or race, political persuasion or religion, only if you could throw the ball, run, catch, hit and tackle.  Although USAFE football was a second job, admittedly, life is a whole lot bigger. Having played in Europe and served in the United States Air Force, I’m a better person for being a part of something greater than myself.

“Football is like life. It requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and respect for authority.”—Vince Lombardi