FOOTBALL FANS UNITE FOR THE PAT TILLMAN FOUNDATION

By: Jets writer S. Bracci
Profootballcentral.com
January 24, 2005

A bright and brisk Sunday morning holds a very early start for Randy Lee, President and owner of Troop 16H, the biggest organized tailgate party going in the Meadowlands today. His deuce and a half truck along with a five ton transporter rolls out of a garage at 6 a.m. headed for East Rutherford, NJ.

Lee and his army trucks have been a staple at every Jet home game since 1998 and boasts anywhere from 150 to 300 tailgaters in attendance whenever he and the 16H crew sets up camp. This ultimate asphalt experience comes complete with a pulsating sound system atop one of the Jet green & white trucks where live DJ's Cowboy Doug Jones and Brian Kelly spin everything from heavy metal to country music. His other truck holds beverages, BBQ grills and everything else needed to enjoy this Jets pre game party in style and send his fellow fans into the stadium pumped & ready for some football.

Where else but in America can we have such freedoms and be able to enjoy all that is the game of football? As every NFL fan will attest, the tailgate party is almost as good as the game itself. This is where Randy Lee, nicknamed "The General" felt the need to take his tailgate party one step further and unite Troop 16H for a worthy cause. During the entire regular season home games, Lee set up a donation and raffle bucket in order to raise funds for the Pat Tillman Foundation.

Through the generosity of his Jet friends and fans, Lee and Troop 16H raised over $5,000 by raffling off countless items donated and autographed by the NY Jet players, the NY Jets LLC and NFL Films, just to name a few. Even the fans of the opponents coming to the Meadowlands to cheer on their respective teams were seen lining up in front of the Pat Tillman bucket and making contributions to help this very worthy cause. If ever there were a reason for NFL fans to come together, it would be the story and the ultimate sacrifice that Pat Tillman made for his fellow man and for his country. As the Jets are a New York team (even though they currently play in New Jersey) the tragedy of 9-11 hit them the hardest, and too many innocent people lost their lives on that horrific day. All the more reason Lee and company felt compelled to give back what ever they could and in the name of Pat Tillman, #40 Arizona Cardinals and US Army Ranger.

Even though the season is now over for the NY Jets and there dedicated fans, Lee and his crew will continue their ongoing commitment in keeping Pat's ideals and memory alive by hosting some off-season events in order to raise additional funds for the Tillman Foundation. Lee's dedication to this very worthy cause will go undaunted and has the full support of his friends, family and the NY Jets in all his future endeavors. One can say that through the ultimate sacrifice and selfless act on the part of Pat Tillman, his legacy already is living on in the hearts and minds of people like the Troop 16H tailgate crew and their selfless leader, the General Randy Lee.