NFL star Jimmy Graham named chairman of EAA's Young Eagles Program

Graham overcame childhood difficulties to become a standout athlete at the University of Miami before embarking on a 13-year career with four NFL teams. In 197 regular-season games, he caught 719 passes for 8,545 yards and 89 touchdowns – ranking fourth all-time among NFL tight ends. A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Graham was also named first-team All-Pro in 2013 while with the New Orleans Saints.

“There is so much in aviation that can serve as inspiration and motivation for everyone, and especially young people,” said Graham, who flies various airplanes and his own Huey helicopter. “I’ve seen it in the faces of kids I’ve flown as they understand perhaps for the first time that these dreams are possible for them. Young Eagles is a superb platform to bring that message to even more young people, and I’m eager to continue.”

Tucker will be honored during EAA’s The Gathering fundraiser on July 25 in Oshkosh for his contributions in inspiring countless Young Eagles throughout his career. He and Graham have collaborated over recent years to encourage youth involvement in aviation and have worked together on transitioning the chairmanship.

“While my passion for bringing people into aviation will continue, Jimmy is the perfect person to advance the legacy established by 30 years of Young Eagles chairmen,” Tucker said. “He has discovered, as I did, the absolute magic in taking a young person up for a flight and seeing that sense of discovery.”