With those simple words, Team America was born. But little did I realize when I delivered my Hall of Fame induction speech that six minutes of heartfelt oration pouring from my soul would resonate with so many across the country. Over the hours, days, and weeks that followed, I was stopped in the airport, in the grocery store, at church, and in all places in between by well-wishers who were so moved by my words they felt the need to let me know how much they were personally impacted by the power of my message that joyous night.

The echoes of that Saturday night stir as a blueprint which illuminates a new path forward. It’s now time to take that message and put it into action. As I stated that night, “I advocate we become Team America.” I’m committed to making this a platform where we build bridges within the hearts, minds, and souls of every American, connecting all races, all classes, all religions, and all ideologies. In America’s race to explore, conquer, and succeed, some of the most basic principles of character, leadership, and community have fallen by the wayside. It’s time for those to be reclaimed. Together we can achieve the unthinkable and become Team America.