Air Force ties

LEHIGH, Pa.,- Senior Airman Moses Ross, 512th Mission Support Squadron knowledge operations manager out of Dover Air Force Base, Del., poses with Philadelphia Eagles' wide receiver, Chad Hall at the Eagles' training camp, Aug. 3. The Eagle's organization, along with the USO, holds this event once a year, where the organization's members and players honor servicemembers from the Philadelphia area. Hall graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. James Mcgarvey)

Air Force grad to appear in Super Bowl XLVII

Air Force's Chad Hall takes a handoff from quarterback Shaun Carney during the Air Force-San Diego State game at Falcon Stadium Nov. 17, 2007. The Falcons dominated the Aztecs, 55-23, with Hall contributing two rushing touchdowns and 182 combined rushing and receiving yards. Hall signed with the San Francisco 49ers in November 2012 and will appear in Super Bowl XLVII. (U.S. Air Force photo/Dennis Lewis Carlyle)

Academy grad, reservist suits up for Super Bowl

Published Jan. 30, 2013
By John Van Winkle
Air Force Academy Public Affairs

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNS) -- An Air Force Academy graduate and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver arrived in New Orleans Jan. 27 for Super Bowl XLVII.

Chad Hall, an Air Force reservist, was signed to the 49ers practice squad Nov. 27 for scout team duty, wearing No. 14. He was released Dec. 14 as the team juggled its active and practice squad rosters, but Hall left an impression on the coaches, who signed the 5'8, 187-pound Hall back onto the practice squad three days later.

"I've been preparing every week, and I was ready to go every week, in case I was called up" Hall said. "Every week usually the defense has me play the role of their opponent's quickest receiver and slot receiver in practice. I'll do anything I can help in that way, and have been doing that ever since the first day I got here. Over the past couple of weeks, the offense has put me in for plays that are designed for me."

Hall has also been working as a backup punt and kick returner.

"Hopefully, I can work my way into that role for next year," he said.

The 49ers moved up Hall to the active roster Jan. 19, which allowed him to suit up for the National Football Conference championship game against his hometown team, the Atlanta Falcons, Jan. 20.

"I love what I do, I love being able to put on a football helmet every day and able to compete physically and mentally," Hall said. "There's not many jobs you get to compete physically with everybody on every day. It's a tough job mentally and physically, but I love what I do."

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