Alejandro Villanueva Military - Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva is set to begin his seventh season in the NFL. His journey from center in Mississippi to two-time Pro Bowler took a lot of effort and persistence, but Villanueva is up to the task.
Villanueva was born at Naval Air Station Meridian in Meridian, Mississippi on September 22, 1988. His father, Ignacio, was an officer in the Spanish Navy and was stationed there while serving in NATO. Ignacio Villanueva's ministry took his family to Rhode Island, Belgium and back to Spain. While on the road, young Alejandro learned to play rugby with the children of other NATO officers.
Alejandro Villanueva Military
He attended high school in Belgium at the Defense Department's SHAPE High School for DoD dependents. It was there that he learned to play soccer in America. After graduating, he made time to attend the United States Academy at West Point.
Panini Select Alejandro Villanueva Auto /199 Pittsburgh Steelers Military
While playing for the Black Knights, Villanueva started or filled in at multiple positions on the field, including left tackle, defensive lineman and wide receiver, but was recruited as a tight end. If you know anything about football, it's a wide variety of talent and athletic ability.
Despite his size and athleticism, Army fell to Navy during Villanueva's four-year tenure on the Black Knights football team. After being drafted as a second baseman, he entered the 2010 NFL draft. At the time, the school's athletic policy allowed them to pursue professional sports before their service obligations ended, as long as they received permission.
Under President Donald Trump in 2019, the DoD changed the rules for school athletes. They can now terminate their service with the approval of the Secretary of Defense or reimburse the US government for their training.
But Villanueva did not need to be removed. He went undrafted in 2010, then tried out for the Cincinnati Bengals for the tight end slot, but was not selected. Their loss. Villanueva started his career that same year. Villanueva became "Lt. V." to his soldiers. The Afghans in his area of operations called him "the giant".
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He served three tours in Afghanistan, but after his first tour, Villanueva tried again to join the NFL team. This time he worked with the Chicago Bears. He didn't make the team in Chicago, but that was okay. He was still under his obligation to serve at West Point.
After two more tours in Afghanistan, Villanueva returned to the United States, ready to give the NFL everything he has. He had no coach, trainer or agent. But he was determined to pursue what he wanted. You have added a job. He paid to attend a regional conference in Georgia to show the NFL what he can do. His investment of time and money (he paid more than $400 to attend the conference in Georgia) paid off. He was one of 240 players who could be invited to a major environmental meeting in Detroit.
He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014 to play defensive end. If he didn't join the team, he would go back to Afghanistan. Although he was cut by the Eagles later that year, the Pittsburgh Steelers saw his potential during a preseason game with the Eagles. When Philadelphia cut him, Pittsburgh ripped him.
Pittsburgh Steeler Alejandro Villanueva, second from left, plays the football in a game against the Cleveland Browns in 2019. (US Army)
Former Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva Chasing Nfl Dream With The Pittsburgh Steelers
As a member of the Steelers, Villanueva remained on the practice squad for his first season. He bulked up and studied the situation. He made his first NFL appearance in the Steelers' 2015 home game against the New England Patriots.
By the end of the 2016 season, Villanueva was the starting left tackle, finishing the season as the NFL's 23rd best player at the position and helping Pittsburgh reach the playoffs. Like his 6-foot-9, 320-pound frame, his popularity and ability in the game only grew. In 2017, the Steelers signed Villanueva to a four-year contract and he became the first graduate of the school to be selected to the Pro Bowl since Roger Staubach in 1979.
After the Steelers failed to re-sign Villanueva in 2021, he was picked up by the team's rivals, the Ravens, on a two-year, $14 million contract.
- Blake Stilwell is a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals and has seen Alejandro Villanueva at almost every Bengals meeting. He can be reached at blake.stilwell@ He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.
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Get exclusive job alerts, offers and tips on how to make the most of your experience in the public sector. On this Memorial Day, here's a closer look at defensive end Alejandro Villanueva, a US Army veteran signed by the Eagles in May after three. Mission Trips in Afghanistan...
Villanueva has spent the past four years as an active duty member of the US Army, serving a total of three tours in Afghanistan. He was recently promoted to captain in April. Villanueva received numerous honors for his service, including the Bronze Star for Valor, the Ranger Tab, the Parachutist Badge, the Bronze Star for Overseas Service, the Defense Medal of National Defense, Afghanistan Campaign Award with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism. Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge and Expert Infantryman's Badge.
Ex Army Ranger In The Trenches With Steelers
The Eagles saw the 25-year-old Villanueva at the Super Regional Combine in Detroit this year in April. He last played football in 2009 for Army as a wide receiver after switching to that position before his senior season. That year, Villanueva served as the offensive coordinator of the Black Knights and led the team in catches (34), yards (522) and touchdowns (5). He initially began his career in the Army seeing action as a defensive tackle from 2006-07 before making the switch to left tackle in 2008, starting all 12 games in his junior campaign.
Villanueva graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering and was commissioned into the US Army on May 22, 2010 as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry. He then moved to Fort Benning, Ga., to attend the Infantry Officer's Basic School, Basic Airborne Course and the U.S. Army Ranger Course.
Villanueva usually hangs up his helmet after a long day's work. He has been doing it for the last eight years or so. But on a recent Friday, there was something a little different about the process. Instead of wearing a military helmet, this time he wore a different kind of helmet - one with a face mask.
"The biggest change in my life right now is leaving the military," Villanueva said. "I've been wearing the uniform and the flag for about eight years now. That's all I know. I don't remember anything that happened before I went to West Point. It's different not saluting the flag in the morning, isn't it," said the Ranger. Creed and don't hang up your military helmet at the end of the day, unlike your football helmet."
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Villanueva was clearly immersed in military life, but after three deployments to Afghanistan, he decided it was time to retire. It was a selfless act, considering those close to him, but that didn't make the decision any easier.
"It was very difficult
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