Greg Fulton: Alejandro Villanueva, a Veterans Day story

“Duty. Honor. Country.” Alejandro Villanueva followed the U.S. Military Academy at West Point’s credo when he was there and when he served in the military, and he adhered to it when he played with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Villanueva defied the odds to make it to the NFL, and became one of the best offensive linemen in the game. He played in every regular-season game from 2015-21 and was a starter from 2016 until he left the team in 2021. He was selected for the Pro Bowl twice, making him the first graduate of a service academy to play in the Pro Bowl since Roger Staubach in the late 1970s.

Villanueva will not be eligible for the Steelers Hall of Honor until 2024 based on his retirement date. At that time, he should be inducted. Period. He deserves it as much for his actions off the field as for his performance on the field.

Villanueva’s path to the NFL was anything but conventional. He played football for Army at West Point. Always a team player, Villanueva changed from tight end to defensive end and then offensive tackle at the request of his coaches.

Upon graduating from West Point in 2010, Villanueva became a commissioned officer and rose to the rank of captain. He served with the Army Rangers, an elite special operations force that requires grueling physical and mental training. Less than 50% of those who start Ranger School graduate.

Villanueva served three tours of duty in Afghanistan. During his deployment for Operation Enduring Freedom, he was awarded the Bronze Star for rescuing fellow wounded soldiers while under enemy fire.

Very few players from the U.S. military academies end up in the NFL, and for good reason. It’s difficult for college players to make the NFL at all, and almost unheard of after four or more years away from the game.

Villanueva’s first try was with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010, when he was offered a tryout for tight end. He didn’t make the team and returned to the Army.

In 2012, he tried out with the Chicago Bears as a tight end and once again was not signed. He again chose to go back to the Army and serve his country for another two years.

In 2014, Villanueva decided to give it one more shot. He participated in a regional NFL tryout combine with over 3,000 players, and was one of only 240 players selected to participate in the NFL Super Combine in Detroit.

Based upon his performance at the combine, the Philadelphia Eagles signed him as a defensive end. During a preseason game against the Steelers in August 2014, Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin recognized Villanueva’s potential. When he was cut by the Eagles, the Steelers signed him to the practice squad and converted him to an offensive lineman.

Proving himself was nothing new to Villanueva. He applied the same work ethic as he had at West Point and in the military, and in 2015 the Steelers signed him to a contract, leading to a stellar NFL career.

During Villanueva’s time with the Steelers, he continued to live by West Point’s code of “Duty. Honor. Country.” He went the extra mile to honor his commitment to the team and community on the playing field, just as he did on the battlefield. He should join the other Steelers greats in the Hall of Honor in 2024.

Greg Fulton is a New Castle native living in Denver.