In his brief but impactful tenure as the Houston Texans quarterback, C.J. Stroud has emphasized the profound influence of family on his journey. He acknowledges that some of this influence stems from family members who have served in the military.
This week, Stroud orchestrated a memorable surprise for a deserving military veteran. Through his collaboration with the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) and the Air and Space Forces Association, Stroud took to social media to announce that Sgt. Craig Mazeska and his son would be attending next month’s Super Bowl LVIII as recipients of a Salute to Service ticket giveaway. Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has committed to spending time with Craig during Super Bowl week festivities in Las Vegas.
Stroud shared his sentiments in a statement provided to , expressing gratitude for the invaluable lessons learned from his family’s military service. He highlighted Sgt. Mazeska’s selfless dedication to the nation as a Marine Corps veteran and expressed his honor in joining forces with USAA and AFA to extend this opportunity.
Sgt. Mazeska, now retired, served multiple overseas deployments in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq as a combat engineer in the Marine Corps. His commendable service earned him distinctions such as the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, and Kuwait Liberation Medal.
During a virtual interview with, Sgt. Mazeska reflected on the toll his military service had on his health and emphasized the importance of seeking support for veterans grappling with similar challenges. He expressed gratitude for the Super Bowl opportunity, acknowledging the sacrifices made by countless others in service.
For Sgt. Mazeska, a devoted Baltimore Ravens fan, the prospect of attending the Super Bowl takes on added significance. With the Ravens vying for a spot in the championship game, the possibility of witnessing their favorite team compete on football’s grandest stage adds an extra layer of excitement.
The serendipity of facing off against Stroud’s Texans before receiving this unexpected opportunity has left Sgt. Mazeska feeling as though he’s living a dream. With the Ravens set to clash with the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship, the anticipation of a potential Super Bowl appearance adds to the surreal nature of the experience.
