Atlanta Falcons’ Bijan Robinson surprises USMC vet with Super Bowl tickets

Everybody loves a good surprise, especially when it involves a deserving U.S. Marine Corps veteran. This year, Atlanta Falcons Running Back Bijan Robinson partnered with USAA, Official NFL Salute to Service Partner, and the American Legion to surprise one of our nation's heroes with a once-in-a-lifetime experience: two tickets and a trip to this year's Super Bowl in Las Vegas, where hopefully, my beloved Kansas City Chiefs will be playing. But I digress.

USAA goes above and beyond to partner with the NFL to champion the NFL's Salute to Service initiative. USAA creates an unbelievable atmosphere at their Salute to Service Lounge at the Super Bowl experience, where service members, veterans and their families can meet players, get autographs and get hyped for the upcoming game. Salute to Service represents the NFL's unwavering dedication to honoring, empowering, and connecting with our nation's service members, veterans, and their families. It is grounded in deep partnerships with the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF), Pat Tillman Foundation (PTF), Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), United Service Organizations (USO) and Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). Since 2011, more than $66 million has been raised for these Salute to Service partners. And every year, various players in the NFL gift veterans and their families Super Bowl tickets. It's a remarkable program and the Salute to Service Lounge is truly electric.

One of my favorite initiatives USAA does as an Official NFL Salute to Service Partner is to team up with current players to gift Super Bowl tickets to veterans and their families. One of this year's recipients is Mark Cauble. Cauble served in the United States Marine Corps (1990-1999), achieving the rank of Sergeant. He served in various roles, including  Marine Security Guard, Mortarman 0341, Instructor, and Weapons Platoon Sgt. Cauble had many deployments overseas, participating in operations in Panama, Okinawa, Kuwait, Somalia, South Korea, and Bosnia. His decorated military career includes being awarded the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment, Overseas Ribbon and Good Conduct 2nd award.

After the Marine Corps, Mark volunteered as a member of his local American Legion, and is currently employed as The American Legion Department of North Carolina Adjutant. Mark has two children, including a daughter who currently serves in the Marines as a Staff Sergeant in Parris Island, SC. Running Back Bijan Robinson said, “After learning about Mark’s service to our country and his continued service to fellow veterans, it was a blessing to join USAA, the NFL, and the American Legion to surprise him with tickets to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. It was a fun afternoon surprising Mark and I’m looking forward to seeing him again in Las Vegas, where I’ll get to meet even more military and veterans.”

Mark is a lifelong NFL fan, and his allegiance is split between the Falcons and the Panthers. He plans to bring his girlfriend, Mona, with him to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas where they will both get to see Mark’s new favorite player, Bijan Robinson, before going to the game. Watch this heartwarming surprise go down here:

Bravo, Bijan, and cheers to USAA! We love the work you do for our community. Thanks for being Mighty!