Stroud sending Marine veteran to Super Bowl LVIII

C.J. Stroud is sending a Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient to next month’s Super Bowl in Las Vegas.

USAA and Air & Space Forces Association are teaming up with players throughout the NFL to reward veterans with the trip.

The Texans’ rookie quarterback, whose older brother Isaiah served in the military, is sending Craig Mazeska and his son to the game and will meet up with them that week.

“Beyond football, my family is one of the most influential parts of my life, and I especially appreciate the lessons learned from my loved ones who have served in the military,” Stroud said in a statement released by USAA. “Like some in my family, Marine Corps veteran Sergeant Craig Mazeska selflessly served our country, so I’m honored to join USAA and the Air & Space Forces Association to send Sergeant Mazeska and his son to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, where I look forward to meeting them.”

Mazeska, who is from Washington, D.C., served in the Marines from 1988 to 1994 and had overseas deployments to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq, serving on the first line of attack during Operation Desert Storm. Mazeska, who is retired after also working as a teacher and school counselor, received a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal and unit citation. He reached the rank of Sergeant and was a combat engineer.

Other players involved with sending veterans to this year’s Super Bowl include Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt, brother of Texans’ Ring of Honor member J.J. Watt, and Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.