Florida State honors the nation's heroes at football game against Boston College

Florida State University honored members of the armed forces who have been injured during conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan during the game against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 16. In partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), wounded warrior Luke Murphy was recognized during the game.

Murphy enlisted into the Florida National Guard in 2000, upon high school graduation. After being called into duty numerous times, Murphy enlisted into the Regular Army as an Infantryman. After returning to Iraq for a second tour of duty, Murphy was promoted to Staff Sergeant. While leading his unit for a reconnaissance mission, Murphy was wounded by an IED device, which removed his right leg and mangled his left leg. Murphy received the Purple Heart. Murphy retired after seven and a half years of service and is currently a junior at Florida State University working on his degree.

Also recognized at the game was Staff Sgt. Patrick Ziegler, an FSU alumnus and lifelong Seminole fan who enlisted in the Army in 2005. After serving two tours of duty in Iraq, Ziegler returned to the United States and was severely wounded during the mass shooting at Fort Hood. Shot four times in the head, he has undergone multiple brain surgeries, but is recovering well and is engaged to be married next year.

“It’s just incredible the support I’ve received from Florida State,” Ziegler said, including the Alumni Association, the community and people everywhere he says he doesn’t even know. Ziegler said he proudly wears FSU gear all the time while doing physical therapy.

The crowd gave a warm welcome, as well, to Ledell Williams, who joined the Alabama National Guard in 1986. He was wounded at Camp Babylon in Iraq in 2004 and awarded the Combat Action Badge. He is the father of Ledell Williams, Jr., an FSU student who is in the Navy ROTC.

Wounded Warrior Project’s mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. It serves to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service men and women, to help injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.

"It is with great enthusiasm that Florida State participates in the Wounded Warrior project," said FSU Director of Athletics Randy Spetman. "We welcome the opportunity to relay the message that we appreciate the sacrifice and courage of those serving in our military around the globe.”

“For many WWP alumni, being honored at these games is the only public recognition they ever receive for their service to our country,” said Steve Nardizzi, Executive Director of Wounded Warrior Project. “After injury, many wounded service members use athletic endeavors as part of their rehabilitation, and being invited to a game like this is an once-in-a-lifetime experience for them.”

About NACDA

NACDA, now in its 46th year, is the professional and educational association for more than 6,500 college athletics administrators at more than 1,600 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. More than 2,300 athletics administrators annually attend the NACDA Convention. Additionally, NACDA administers 11 professional associations that come under the umbrella of the athletics director. For more information, visit www.nacda.com.

About Wounded Warrior Project

The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Its purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured men and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. To get involved and learn more, click here.