The New York Giants have been eliminated from Super Bowl LX contention for quite some time, but that didn’t stop quarterback Jaxson Dart from dropping some Super Bowl news of his own.
On January 29, Dart announced that he is partnering with USAA, an Official Salute to Service Partner, and The American Legion (TAL) to gift a fellow New Yorker and decorated military veteran a once-in-a-lifetime Super Bowl experience.
“SZN 1 is done but still passing on blessings, sending fellow New Yorker GMC Gary S. to #SBLX in San Fran thanks to @USAA & @AmericanLegion,” Dart shared on X. He added that “Gary spent 25+ years in the Navy,” and that he’s “proud to help honor his service” alongside #SaluteToService.
Per information shared with Heavy on Giants, decorated Navy veteran GMC Gary Schacher is a die-hard NFL fan from New York, and as part of his gift, he’ll “meet with Dart and other NFL stars in-person before attending the game” in San Francisco.
Dart has family members who have served in the military, making this a special opportunity for the young QB to give back.
“As I reflect on my first season, I’m most appreciative of the connections I’ve made with the fans and the local community who show up for us every single day,” Dart told USAA and TAL. “To show my appreciation, I’m grateful to work with USAA and The American Legion to recognize a deserving military veteran and NFL fan, GMC Gary Schacher with a trip to the Super Bowl!”
“Coming from a military family myself, it’s important for me to honor those who served because we wouldn’t have the chance to do what we love on Sundays without the sacrifices made by heroes like Gary,” the Giants star concluded.
More on the Accomplishments of GMC Gary Schacher
In a press release shared with Heavy on Giants, USAA and The American Legion provided background info on Schacher and his long list of accomplishments serving our country. The press release stated the following:
Gary Schacher served in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves for 26 years (1980 – 2006), achieving the rank of E7 Chief Petty Officer.
Schacher served in the U.S. Navy (Fleet & Seabees), with various roles as a Gunner’s Mate and Small Arms Instructor. Highlights of his military career include commissioning the USS Clifton Sprague (FFG-16) in 1981 and assignments to multiple base across the U.S., and overseas deployments to Fallujah, Iraq, and Rota, Spain.
As a reservist, Schacher served with a Weapons Station Unit and a Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit before transferring to the Navy Seabees in 1990. He was recalled to active duty in 2003 and 2004 for Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving with the Seabees in Fallujah and retired from the Navy in 2006.
Schacher was awarded four Navy Commendation Medals and three Navy Achievement Medals, the Navy Expert Pistol Medal, the Navy Expert Rifle Medal and several campaign, service and unit awards. He is a recipient of the New York Conspicuous Service Star and the New York Medal for Merit. In 2017, he was inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.
Schacher has been a member of The American Legion for more than 26 years and has served in leadership capacities from the post to Department levels, most recently becoming the first Iraq war veteran to become commander of The American Legion Department of New York (2018-2019).
Today, Schacher lives in Cobbleskill, NY. Constantly committed to supporting veterans in his community, he helped establish the Patriot Highlander Challenge, an annual obstacle course race that raises money to benefit wounded veterans and support networks in New York State. Schacher is also a founding member of the Leatherstocking Honor Flight, dedicated to transporting World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. to experience the World War II Memorial.
A lifelong Jets fan (but self-proclaimed fan of everything NFL) Schacher will be heading to his first ever Super bowl alongside his wife, Laurie, where they will both meet Dart and more current/former NFL legends at the USAA Salute to Service Lounge before attending the game.
Giants QB Jaxson Dart Attending Super Bowl Based on Salute to Service News
GettyCan New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart lead Big Blue back to the Super Bowl?
Obviously, based on this news, Dart will be attending Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.
It’ll be good for Dart to get a look at the championship game first-hand, considering the Giants are hoping that he can lead them there at some point in the near future.
Big Blue has hired legendary head coach John Harbaugh to help expedite that process, but a lot of it will fall on the shoulders of Dart.
The quarterback position is the most important in all of team sports, and every Super Bowl team has a QB who has risen to the challenge over the course of a grueling NFL season and playoffs. The Giants believe Dart can be that guy, and it’s up to him to prove them right.
Giants QB Jaxson Dart Shares Super Bowl Announcement Before Seahawks-Patriots