Jimmy Graham Announced as Young Eagles Co-Chairman

July 25, 2018 - NFL tight end Jimmy Graham is adding yet another title to his illustrious career: EAA Young Eagles honorary co-chair. On Wednesday EAA and Sean D. Tucker announced that the Green Bay Packer and accomplished pilot is in Wisconsin not just for training camp, but now as honorary co-chair of the world’s largest volunteer air force that has introduced more than 2.1 million kids to flight.

“Jimmy Graham is on our team,” Tucker said. “He is going to inspire so many young people to rise above any challenge, to search for excellence in execution, and to believe in themselves. Jimmy is a reverent aviator, fun to be around, and such a positive role model for kids. We are thrilled he has teamed up with us.”

“There’s such great energy between Jimmy and Sean,” EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board Jack J. Pelton said. “Jimmy has a very unique story that kids are going to resonate very well with — it’s so sincere, it’s so real. We are very excited about having Jimmy as part of Young Eagles.”

Graham has accepted his new role with gusto. On Monday, Graham and Tucker flew two Young Eagles: 11-year-old Deanna Gilson of Castle Rock, Colorado, and 16-year-old Lucas Van Handel of Hortonville, Wisconsin, in Graham’s 1957 de Havilland Beaver aircraft.

“It’s truly humbling that they would ask me to be a part of this great organization,” Graham said. “But it’s really about the kids and inspiring them. It brings me back to my childhood and how much love I had for my first flight.”

EAA Young Eagles took flight during EAA Oshkosh 1992.

Award winning actor and pilot Cliff Robertson served as the program’s founding chairman. Other past chairmen include Gen. Chuck Yeager, Harrison Ford, and US Airways flight crew Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and Jeff Skiles. In 2013, Sean D. Tucker was entrusted with the honor of being chairman.