Donnie Edwards, Legendary NFL Linebacker and Founder of Best Defense Foundation
SOFREP Radio23 Okt 2020

Donnie Edwards, Legendary NFL Linebacker and Founder of Best Defense Foundation

For many, Donnie Edwards is known as a gridiron grinder. A fourth round draft pick out of UCLA who played for thirteen seasons on the NFL — eight with the Kansas City Chiefs and six with the San Diego Chargers — Donnie earned a reputation for doling out hit and having hands. During his time in the NFL he logged 23.5 sacks and 28 interceptions, just nine short of the NFL record for most interceptions by a linebacker.

But for all his football fame, Edwards has come to be known in veteran and military circles for his veterans organization, The Best Defense Foundation.

The Best Defense Foundation's main focus is brining closure to WWII veterans by returning them to the battlefields where they once fought. Edwards and his foundation have helped hundreds of veterans return to battlefields from Normandy to Iwo Jima, some of whom had not set foot in those places since the war.

The Best Defense Foundation has also added to its mantle a mission for Special Forces soldiers. Dubbed simply the Transition Program, Edwards and BDF reintegrate SOF soldiers by "combining concepts from the battlefield with ideas forged on the gridiron" through "unique retreats that preserve bonds of brotherhood while providing tools and services that equip and empower our veterans to move forward."

Tune in to this week's episode to learn more about the Best Defense Foundation and hear tales from the ground from gridiron great Donnie Edwards.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episoder(455)

The Truth Russia Doesn’t Want You to Hear: Ben Goldhagen Breaks It Down

The Truth Russia Doesn’t Want You to Hear: Ben Goldhagen Breaks It Down

Benjamin “Ben” Goldhagen is a human rights advocate and war documentarian whose work centers on exposing the human cost of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and countering disinformation surrounding the co...

28 Nov 20251h 20min

Inside the Red Cross’ Military Mission: Thom Geiser Tells SOFREP What Few Ever Hear

Inside the Red Cross’ Military Mission: Thom Geiser Tells SOFREP What Few Ever Hear

Thom Geiser is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran who now serves as an Armed Services Advisor for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Drawing on decades of experience—including flying C...

13 Nov 20251h 4min

What It Really Takes to Lead a SEAL Team: Former SEAL Team 2 CO Mike Hayes Tells All

What It Really Takes to Lead a SEAL Team: Former SEAL Team 2 CO Mike Hayes Tells All

Mike Hayes is a former U.S. Navy SEAL officer who served 20 years in Special Operations. A graduate of one of the toughest SEAL training classes—one of only 19 out of 120 to complete—he deployed throu...

28 Okt 202553min

The Man Who Infiltrated the Crips: Tegan Broadwater’s Unbelievable True Story

The Man Who Infiltrated the Crips: Tegan Broadwater’s Unbelievable True Story

Teagan Broadwater is a former law-enforcement officer, author, entrepreneur, and multi-disciplinary creator whose work spans undercover operations, music, podcasting, and philanthropy. He served as an...

22 Okt 20251h 9min

Authors Uncovered: Jessica Behne & Samuel Zasadny’s Path to Unseen Warrior

Authors Uncovered: Jessica Behne & Samuel Zasadny’s Path to Unseen Warrior

Unseen Warrior offers mental health professionals a comprehensive guide to providing clinical services for military personnel and veterans. Drawing on the authors’ more than 50 years of cumulative mil...

8 Okt 20251h 12min

Special Forces to the UN: Robert Adolph’s Unbelievable Journey

Special Forces to the UN: Robert Adolph’s Unbelievable Journey

Robert Bruce Adolph - a former Infantry Staff Sergeant - is a retired US Army Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel and UN Chief Security Advisor, as well as once a university lecturer on American History...

22 Sep 202556min

Back in the Fight: Wylie McGraw on Reenlisting at 45

Back in the Fight: Wylie McGraw on Reenlisting at 45

Wylie McGraw is a 3-tour combat veteran, former star athlete, and competitive bull rider. At 45, Wylie McGraw is the oldest combat veteran in decades to re-enlist for active duty—but for him, this isn...

16 Sep 20251h 17min

Ballots, Battles, and Beyond: Angelica Kapsis with VotRite

Ballots, Battles, and Beyond: Angelica Kapsis with VotRite

Angelica Kapsis, President and Co-Founder of VotRite, leads efforts to revolutionize U.S. elections with secure, accessible, and transparent voting technology. A Navy Veteran with degrees in forensic ...

2 Sep 202554min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
i-retten
forklart
stopp-verden
popradet
det-store-bildet
nokon-ma-ga
dine-penger-pengeradet
fotballpodden-2
rss-gukild-johaug
aftenbla-bla
hanna-de-heldige
rss-ness
frokostshowet-pa-p5
e24-podden
rss-dannet-uten-piano
bt-dokumentar-2
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk