“If not me, then who?”

This was the question Marine 1st Lt. Travis Manion asked before his second deployment to Iraq. It was a question that would later inspire countless acts of contribution, including from NFL star Lane Johnson.

The Philadelphia Eagles lineman, the son of two veterans, found a new way to connect purpose, brotherhood, and community when he discovered the Travis Manion Foundation. The foundation helps veterans and families of fallen heroes find strength and belonging through service, showing that purpose doesn’t end when service ends.

It begins again when we give back.

A question becomes a movement

The question that became a rallying cry for so many started in an ordinary moment.

During a Philadelphia Eagles game against the Carolina Panthers on December 4, 2006, Travis Manion was walking down a flight of stairs with friends when one joked, “Hey, Trav, what if I push you down the stairs? Maybe you’ll break your ankle and won’t have to go back to Iraq.”

Travis stopped and turned to him. “You know, if I don’t go back to Iraq, then somebody much less prepared is going to go in my place,” he said. “If not me, then who?”

Just months later, on April 29, 2007, Travis was killed while saving his wounded teammates in Iraq.

Travis’  heroism inspired the creation of the Travis Manion Foundation, which today helps veterans, families of the fallen, and civilians find purpose and connection through service in their local communities. TMF now has more than 300,000 members nationwide, including Johnson, who chose to honor the organization through the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative. My Cause My Cleats allows players to shine the spotlight on mission-driven organizations and issues they are passionate about by wearing custom-designed cleats representing their chosen cause.

“The main thing behind both sports and the military is brotherhood before all,” Johnson said. “One man is not stronger than the rest of the team. That's why I'm honored to represent the Travis Manion Foundation on my cleats.”

Active duty in the U.S. military is an experience like none other, filled with purpose, pride, and a sense of belonging. But when the uniform comes off, returning home to civilian life can be difficult.

Veterans often feel isolated and struggle to find that same sense of fulfillment and community. The veteran suicide rate is 60% higher than the national average. But past studies have shown that a sense of purpose can reduce suicidal behavior.

“Transitions are hard for our military,” said Ryan Manion, Travis’ sister and CEO of TMF. “They were part of such an incredible community, and then they come out of the military, and they need to find that community again. That's why the Travis Manion Foundation exists — to make them feel a part of something bigger than themselves again.”

What Ryan and TMF have found is that service doesn’t stop when military duty ends. Veterans heal by using their strengths to lift others, and in doing so, they show that the path to purpose runs through contribution. It’s a lesson that extends far beyond the military: Every one of us has something to give that could strengthen our communities.

Channeling experience into leadership, mentorship, and healing

Johnson learned about TMF in the weight room from his trainer, Gabe Rangel, a former Marine. Travis’ story of selfless dedication and commitment to brotherhood resonated with Johnson and prompted him to get involved.

Before every road game, Johnson meets with Gold Star families (those who lost a family member while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during combat or other specific situations). He hears their stories, spends time with them, and gives them a place of honor to watch the game.

"It just puts life into perspective,” Johnson said. “I'm obviously playing a game that's for entertainment and enjoyment, but when you hear real families that go through real hardships and real tragedies, and may not have the resources to bounce back. You hear their voices, you hear what they've overcome, what they've had to do, and how they've been helped.”

Johnson also works alongside veterans in TMF’s Character Does Matter program, which empowers veterans to mentor young people in leadership, service, and resilience.

One in 3 youth say they have never had a positive role model in their life, and veterans, with their discipline and service experience, are perfect candidates to fill that gap. They teach young people to embrace the leadership and integrity Travis demonstrated, encouraging them to take responsibility, keep commitments, and make difficult but right decisions.

Veterans gain renewed purpose, and youth gain guidance.

‘High tides raise all ships’

From its beginning in the Philadelphia area, TMF has grown into one of the nation’s leading veterans organizations, with 60  chapters nationwide. More than 78,000 veterans and families of fallen heroes have been empowered through TMF’s programs,  while more than 764,000 young people have been affected by TMF mentoring.

TMF members who participated in multiple programs report an 80% improvement in mental health and an 80% improvement in feelings of connectedness.

“I love to wear the Travis Manion gear, and I think, for me, just subconsciously it reminds me of what he stood for and hopefully that's something that can be ingrained in me and that can be shown to how I am as a football player and captain of the team,” Johnson said. “The stuff that I wear is a constant reminder.”

For Johnson and TMF, it’s a message of collective resilience.

“It takes all of us,” Johnson said. “‘Draw your strength from others. You're not as strong as you are in isolation. You're stronger together.’”

Fans can join Lane Johnson by visiting his My Cause My Cleats page to directly support the Travis Manion Foundation, bid on his custom cleats, or find another cause near you.

This story is part of a special partnership between the NFL and Stand Together, focused on amplifying and growing the impact of the philanthropic work of NFL players. Together, this collaboration shows real strength comes when we unlock the strength within communities and the critical role each of us can play in contributing to solving problems around us.

The Travis Manion Foundation is supported by Stand Together Foundation, which empowers individuals to reach their full potential through community-driven change.

Learn more about Stand Together’s top issue areas and explore ways you can partner with us.