Meet the athletes and celebrities that have joined Austin’s Army and are providing valuable encouragement throughout Austin’s battle to recovery. It is overwhelming how many sports stars and well-known professionals have joined Austin’s Army. They have shared personal words of encouragement and prayers, to help bolster Austin’s faith in God and support his recovery. The 2-4 minutes that people have taken to show their support and love through these videos has continued to fuel Austin in his daily struggles. They helped keep his spirits up as he fought to get out of the hospital and, now, as he works to get back to doing the activities he loves.
Keep them coming and share his story and these messages with your friends.
Stars in our Army
Rob Gronkowski
We welcome the Gronk to Austin’s Army! As a tight end and a reigning Super Bowl Champion. He brings with him endless energy, motivation, work ethic, and his champion status! He is a fine display of fighting until the end and has proven time and time again. The Gronk is a 4x Super Bowl champ, was the 2014 NFL Comeback Player of the year, and a 5x Pro Bowl participant.
Kevin Reilly & Vince Papale
Kevin Reilly hosts Behind The Lines, a sports talk show about the obstacles athletes face on and off the field. Vince Papale is a frequent guest on the show; he’s known for having joined the Philadelphia Eagles at the age of 30 to become the oldest rookie ever in the history of the NFL to have not played football in college.
Brian Dawkins
Our all-time favorite Eagle, he has spent a career leading his defense to one of the best defenses the NFL has ever seen. The energy, leadership, grit, and raw effort he brought to the game make him arguably one of the best free safeties ever. Brian is a great leader both on and off the field. It’s a blessing that someone like him is now a part of Austin’s Army.
Connor McKemey
Connor McKemey is an amazing person that certainly knows about the ups and downs that Austin is facing and will face moving forward. Connor was 13 when he was injured with third-degree burns over 87% of his body. Connor defied all odds and returned to doing what he loves just 11 months later. Today, Connor coaches the lacrosse team and is changing peoples’ lives on and off the field.
Drew Brees
Not much introduction is needed for this quarterback. Drew has been awarded several titles including ‘Academic All-American Player of the Year’,‘NFL’s Comeback Player of 2004’ and was also crowned ‘Sportsman of the Year’ in 2010 by Sports Illustrated. He’s also know for breaking Marino’s single season yardage record closing at 5,476 yards through air. Welcome to Austin’s team, Drew!
BJ Miller
A, physician, author and motivational speaker, Dr. Miller is a practicing hospice and palliative medicine physician and is best known for his 2015 TED Talk. He has survived a very similar accident and there are so many similarities. Austin’s Army now has members with first-hand knowledge and experience in overcoming the challenges ahead for our boy.
J.R. Martinez
J.R. is an Army veteran, burn survivor, actor, motivational speaker, NYT best-selling author, and Dancing with the Stars season 13 winner. J.R. travels the world spreading his message of resilience and optimism and does it all with a smile.
Chris Long
So excited to have former Philadelphia Eagle and 2x Super Bowl Champion, Chris Long, as a part of Austin’s Army! This champion not only killed it on the football field for 11 seasons, but off the field, he earned the Walter Payton “Man of the Year” Award for his charity work.
Jay Wright
Best of luck to you and the team throughout the rest of the NCAA tournament! Austin is watching and cheering you on!
Coach Wright led the Villanova to six Big East Conference championships and 16 NCAA Tournament appearances in his 21 seasons as head coach.
Joe Conklin
Joe is a regular on Philadelphia Sportsradio WIP and one hilarious person. To have a great Philly legend to join our group is truly a blessing.
Ryan Shazier
Ryan is a linebacker who played college football at Ohio State and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He won the 2019 George Halas Award by the Professional Football Writers of America for his ongoing recovery from a spinal contusion suffered in the 2017 season.
Ukee Washington
Ukee is our favorite sports anchor on CBS3 who always keeps us laughing. Please know that you have made today even better for Austin and that hearing your words gave him strength in knowing that you called him our captain.
Ryan Santoso
Ryan Santoso is a placekicker for the Jacksonville Jaguars and formerly for the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, and Carolina Panthers. He is a recent Super Bowl champion and a proud supporter of Austin’s progress.
Jordan Burroughs
As a freestyle wrestler, Jordan is the 2012 Olympic Gold medalist, a 4x World Champion (7x medalist), 3x Pan American Games Gold medalist, 4x Pan American champion and 4x US Open National Champion, making the US World or Olympic Team on nine occasions.
Shane Victorino
The newest member of Austin’s Army is the “Flyin’ Hawaiian” himself, former Philadelphia Phillie Shane Victorino! outfielder. His MLB career as an outfielder includes the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Boston Red Sox. He’s a 2x All-Star player, 2x World Series champion, and a 4x Gold Glove Award winner.
Levon Kirkland
Levon Kirkland has joined Austins Army and brings his support in size, love, and prayer. Levon became a starter and inside linebacker for the Steelers in his second season. Other highlights include 2× Pro Bowl,
2× All-Pro, NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year, 2× Pittsburgh Steelers Team MVP, NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, Consensus All-American
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a class act who has been the quarterback and leader of the Atlanta Falcons for over a decade. His professional career statistics make him one of the best in the game and put him among the best to have ever played his position. His off-the-field contributions through his foundation and other charities round him off as being a man of impeccable character.
Brent Celek
Brent was drafted in the fifth round and he played his entire 11 season career as the tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles. Brent helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LII over the New England Patriots and became a football executive after retiring from the NFL.
Levon Kirkland
Levon Kirkland has joined Austins Army and brings his support in size, love, and prayer. Levon became a starter and inside linebacker for the Steelers in his second season. Other highlights include 2× Pro Bowl,
2× All-Pro, NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year, 2× Pittsburgh Steelers Team MVP, NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, Consensus All-American
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a class act who has been the quarterback and leader of the Atlanta Falcons for over a decade. His professional career statistics make him one of the best in the game and put him among the best to have ever played his position. His off-the-field contributions through his foundation and other charities round him off as being a man of impeccable character.
Dan Quinn
Dan Quinn, the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys, was previously the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons where he coached Matt Ryan to the AP Offensive Player of the Year during the 2016 season. Now, he is also a proud member of Austin‘s Army.
Matt Buyten
Matt is a 7x X Games Step Up medalist, winning gold in 2011, 2010, 2006 and 2003. He finished in the top three of every XG Step Up contest he entered from 2003-LA 2013. When I asked him to make a quick video he didn’t think twice about joining #AustinsArmy and showing his support.
David Goggins
David Goggins is an ultramarathon runner, ultra-distance cyclist, triathlete, public speaker, and author. He is a retired United States Navy SEAL and former member of the United States Air Force Tactical Air Control. His message is encouraging, inspirational and exactly what Austin needed to hear.
Cary Kolat
Cary Kolat is a wrestler and wrestling coach who earned two NCAA championships and the current coach of the Navy Wrestling team. Wrestlers are a unique breed that understands hard work, battling, and brotherhood. The wrestling world is here to support Austin’s Army.
William Swinney
As the head coach at Clemson University, “Coach Dabo,” as everyone calls him, has become the first coach in program history to lead the Tigers to multiple national championships. He was just recently named the College Football Coach of the Year.
We are so glad to have him among our ranks!
Rick Barker
Since resigning as Taylor Swift’s Manager in 2008, Rick has made it his mission to help artists throughout the world build and grow their fanbase. We are so glad that Austin’s Army now has support from the music industry.
Brandon Slay
Brandon Slay won an Olympic gold medal for the United States in wrestling at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. He wrestled all four years at Pennsylvania, where he was a national runner-up and All-American in the NCAA tournament at 167 pounds twice. Currently, Brandon is running the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center Wrestling for our future Olympic wrestlers.
Carsen Twarynski
Former Philadelphia Flyers forward from Canada has had some great plays over the years, including making 45 goals and 72 points in a 68-game streak. His other NHL experience includes playing for the Seattle Kraken and is currently with the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL.
Brandon Graham
More than the defensive end for the Eagles, Brandon is a Silver Football winner and Big 10 MVP from his days at Michigan and, more recently, he won the Spirit of Detroit Award after strip-sacking Tom Brady to help win the Eagles win the Super Bowl in 2018.
David McFadden
This guy knows what it takes to attain goals and overcome challenges. If you didn’t know David is currently training at the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center for Wrestling for the Olympics and Worlds. David is a 3x NCAA All-American, 2x ACC Champion, 4x NCAA Qualifier and was named 2016 ACC Freshman of the Year.
Phil Martelli
Coach Martelli led the St. Joseph’s Hawks to seven NCAA Tournaments and six NIT appearances in 24 seasons as head coach and is currently the associate head coach for the Michigan Wolverines. Phil, thank you for taking the time to send this message to Austin.
Cam Brown and St. Joseph’s Hawks
This Division I basketball team, right here in Philadelphia, competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference. are more examples of how hard work, grit, belief, persistence and determination can help you be the best version of yourself while achieving your goals!
Phillie Phanatic
We got this supportive message from the furry, green mascot of our favorite MLB team – the Phillies. Thanks, Phillie Phanatic for cheering on Austin’s Army!
Villanova & Drexel women’s basketball
These athletes took the time to send Austin a positive message for his birthday.
Jason Garrett
In his career, Jason has led as the head coach for the Dallas Cowboys, offensive coordinator for the New York Giants who recently, and quarterbacks coach for the Miami Dolphins. Before becoming a coach, he played for the Cowboys, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Miami Dolphins.
Mark Herzlich
Mark Herzlich is a former NFL New York Giants linebacker that played at Boston College prior to the NFL. He is a Super Bowl champion and was recognized as the
Best Comeback Athlete ESPY (2011) and
ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2008).
Kyle Snyder
Kyle Snyder, aka “Captain America”, is a freestyle wrestler. He holds the distinction of being the youngest Olympic Gold medalist and the youngest World Champion in American wrestling history. He is also the youngest wrestler ever to win the World, NCAA, and Olympic championships in the same year — a Triple Crown of American wrestling that had not been accomplished in a generation
Shayne Gostisbehere
A big thank you to Shane Gostisbehere of the Philadelphia Flyers for giving Austin some verbal inspiration to keep fighting! This NHL star is currently playing as a defenceman for the Arizona Coyotes after being with the Philadelphia Flyers for 7 years.
Kevin Stefanski
Current head coach for the Cleveland Browns, Kevin was also named the NFL’s Coach of the Year award in 2020. He is a Philadelphia native and part of our army.
Chris Nicholas
It took Chief Warrant Officer Chris Nicholas years of perseverance to reach the cockpit of the UH-60 Blackhawk. Chris was involved in an accident that changed his life forever. The same resilience that had got him through flight training gave him perseverance in the face of overwhelming medical challenges.
Thanks, Chris and the Travis Manion Foundation!
Barrett Brooks
Barrett Brooks is a former NFL offensive tackle. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995 and finished his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and was part of their Super Bowl XL win. Currently, he is with NBC Sports Philadelphia and is an analyst on the Eagles’ live pregame and postgame shows. Austin will be happy to know that Barrett also played for the New York Giants one of his favorite teams.
Pat Croce
Pat Croce knows what it is like to fight a battle and come out victorious not only on the court but in life. Pat has beat cancer and has now founded ACS HEALED. HEALED stands for Health and Energy through Active Living Every Day. The American Cancer Society and Pat Croce have partnered to launch the HEALED Community Movement which will educate and encourage people to live healthier lives in the present moment.
Dan Quinn
Dan Quinn, the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys, was previously the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons where he coached Matt Ryan to the AP Offensive Player of the Year during the 2016 season. Now, he is also a proud member of Austin‘s Army.