In a move reminiscent of Pat Tillman’s decision to enlist in the military following the attacks of 9/11 over a decade ago, a NFL hopeful is heading back to the Marines following the attacks at the Boston Marathon on Monday.
Brandon O’Brien was training in hopes of making the jump from the NAIA ranks to the NFL. O’Brien played at Montana State University-Northern in Havre, Mont. after serving four years in the Marines. The 30-year-old wide receiver was still hopeful his dreams of playing professional football would come true despite his age and the level of football he’s been competing in the last few years.
However, after the blasts tore apart the innocence of the Boston streets on Monday afternoon, O’Brien felt life pulling him in a different direction. According to Andy Fenelon of NFL.com, O’Brien has elected to re-enlist in the Marines.
The events “left (a) big hole in his heart,” agent Brad Berkowitz told Fenelon.
So instead of starting a new career, O’Brien will return to his old one. A massive amount of respect to O’Brien is due for making a sacrifice not many of us would be willing to make.