Super Bowl 59 Radio Row Interview: Brian & Natalie Vines
Brian and Natalie Vines from Wounded Warrior Project joined Karisa Maxwell and Sports Philanthropy Network on Radio Row at Super Bowl. They shared insights into the organization’s mission to support post-9/11 veterans, the importance of mental health initiatives like the Odyssey Project, and how veterans and athletes face similar challenges in transitioning to life after service or sports.
Brian and Natalie Vines
Brian and Natalie Vines are dedicated advocates for veteran mental health and rehabilitation, representing the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). As a combat-injured veteran and a caregiver, they share a deeply personal connection to the challenges of PTSD, injury recovery, and the loss of identity after military service. Through their work with WWP, they help fellow veterans navigate post-service life, providing support and encouragement to others facing similar struggles.
Their journey with Wounded Warrior Project began with their own need for support. Over time, they moved from being beneficiaries of the program to active ambassadors, helping other veterans find resources, mental health assistance, and a renewed sense of purpose. They emphasize the critical role of initiatives like the Odyssey Project, which provides veterans with mental health tools to manage combat trauma and improve their overall well-being.
Through their advocacy, the Vines family also highlights the parallels between military and athletic careers, particularly the challenges of transitioning to life after service. They work closely with NFL veterans and the league’s “Salute to Service” program, fostering conversations about mental resilience, community reintegration, and support networks. Their mission is to ensure that no veteran feels alone in their journey toward healing.
Wounded Warrior Project
The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering post-9/11 veterans and their families. Since its founding, WWP has provided mental health services, career counseling, physical rehabilitation programs, and peer support networks for wounded veterans transitioning to civilian life. Through initiatives like the Odyssey Project, WWP helps veterans recover from combat trauma and regain a sense of stability and purpose.
WWP has been a longtime partner of the NFL’s “Salute to Service” initiative, receiving over $12 million in funding to support veterans through mental health programs, adaptive sports, and community reintegration efforts. The organization recognizes the similarities between military service and professional sports, particularly in the struggles veterans and athletes face when their careers come to an end. By working with the NFL and other sports organizations, WWP fosters conversations about mental resilience, identity, and life after service.
Beyond mental health and rehabilitation, WWP offers financial assistance, family support programs, and advocacy efforts to ensure that veterans receive the care they need. While the organization primarily serves post-9/11 veterans, it also connects older veterans, such as those from the Vietnam era, with peer organizations that can provide specialized resources. Through its holistic approach to veteran support, WWP continues to make a profound impact on the lives of thousands of service members and their families.
WATCH INTERVIEW
0:00 – Brian and Natalie Vines join Karisa Maxwell to discuss their work with the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and their first-time experience at Super Bowl Week.
0:49 – They emphasize the importance of WWP’s partnership with the NFL, which has provided over $12 million in funding to support mental health and rehabilitation programs.
1:18 – The couple shares their personal story of overcoming PTSD and injuries, highlighting how WWP helped them transition and heal together.
2:12 – They discuss the parallels between military service and professional sports, especially in terms of teamwork, identity loss, and the difficulty of transitioning to civilian life.
3:17 – Natalie explains how WWP helps veterans find a new sense of purpose after leaving the military, similar to how retired athletes seek new roles after their careers.
4:01 – Brian highlights the symbolism of the WWP logo, where one soldier carries another, reflecting the journey from receiving help to giving help.
4:50 – They share an inspiring moment of helping another veteran, explaining that helping others heal has also helped them in their own recovery.
5:26 – WWP offers resources not only for post-9/11 veterans but also connects older veterans with peer organizations that provide support and services.
5:59 – Those interested in supporting veterans can visit woundedwarriorproject.org to donate, volunteer, or connect veterans with essential resources.
6:43 – They thank the NFL and WWP supporters, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in veteran rehabilitation and well-being.
