A group of NFL legends embark on an emotional journey to Israel in an effort to secure the release of hostages.

Recently, two NFL legends and ex-Kansas City Chiefs teammates journeyed to Israel to advocate for the release of Israeli and American hostages held captive by Hamas.

Nick Lowery and Tony Richardson, both members of the Kansas City Chiefs' Hall of Fame and among the league's greatest players, returned from a five-day trip sponsored by Athletes for Israel earlier this month. Weeks later, a diplomatic breakthrough led to the release of three hostages and the promise of more to come. In an interview with Planet Chronicle Digital, Lowery, the Chiefs' all-time leading scorer, emphasized the importance of making a difference off the field, stating that it is more crucial than his impressive gridiron career.

"What does it mean to be a Hall of Famer?" inquired Lowery, a former Dartmouth college football player who later obtained a graduate degree from Harvard. "It's not just about being on the field; it's also about the impact you have on your community. Ultimately, that's what defines your legacy."

Lowery, a 68-year-old man, is currently concentrating on fighting antisemitism and racism, and advocating for the release of Hamas hostages, including Naama Levy, a 20-year-old soldier who was abducted from the Nahal Oz base near Gaza on October 7, 2023. According to The Times of Israel, 15 surveillance soldiers were killed that day, and six were taken hostage.

A video posted to social media by Lowery shows footage released by Hamas of a terrorist dragging Levy by her hair into a Jeep. Her hands were bound, her ankles cut, her face bleeding, and her sweatpants were blood-stained. Lowery stated in the video, "Naama can’t speak. But we, athletes of the world, must speak for her now."

Eric Rubin, CEO of Project Max, leads the #SportSpeaksUp campaign, which is supported by Athletes for Israel and aims to combat racism, antisemitism, and intolerance through sports.

In Israel, Lowery met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana and Israel Defense Forces soldiers. He also visited the site of the Nova music festival massacre, which he called "overwhelming." He said, "There are the pictures of these people, full of life, two thirds of them women, absolutely beautiful, full of life, and there were flowers and offerings of love and support for their memory."

At the Sea of Galilee, Lowery was re-baptized and had a deeply spiritual experience when he visited the Western Wall.

Lowery stated, "Touching the wall as a Christian gives the sensation of connecting with God."

Levy's chair was adorned with flowers at the extended dinner table in Hostage Square, which was observed by Lowery and Richardson during their tour in Tel Aviv.

Yoni Levy, Lowery's father, and Amit, his brother, sat with him. Yoni spoke about his daughter's love for bringing light and laughter to people, her vision to become a peacemaker, and her strong will and competitive spirit.

Amit Levy disclosed to Planet Chronicle Digital that he could sense Lowery's interest in hearing about his sister.

Amit Levy stated that everyone who learns about her can sense her power and be greatly motivated by it.

Amit Levy stated that his sister, Michal, is a 16-year-old fun-loving teenager who grew up in Israel and India and is close with her family, which includes her mother, who is the doctor for the Israeli national soccer team, and her brother, Omri, 12. He added that Michal loves attending parties and laughing with friends, and is also "a very moral girl" with a caring nature, devoted to helping others and advocating for peace.

For 10 months, Levy, a high school diplomacy major, volunteered once a week at a kindergarten for African refugees in southern Israel.

Amit Levy remembered how well she connected with the children there.

According to her brother, Levy was an idealist who took part in the "Hands of Peace" delegation that aimed to bring Israeli and Palestinian youth together to effect change.

He said that maybe she was a bit naive because the world isn't always pleasant.

As an elementary school student, his sister would wake up their parents at 5 a.m. to take her to triathlon competitions, just like their father and grandfather, who is still competing at the age of 80.

In October 2023, Amit Levy's family received news about her injury from grenade shrapnel still in her leg, as she and her friends were targeted at a bomb shelter in Gaza. The last time her family received news about her was in December 2023, when newly released female hostages recounted seeing her in the tunnels beneath Gaza.

Nearly 500 days have passed since the abduction of Levy and over 100 others. Amit Levy stated that the released hostages were able to sense the hostage-taker's strength and personality during their brief encounter, which provided his family with much-needed relief.

However, there have been no subsequent reports about her.

"I feel so honored to know these people. They’re in my heart now." - Nick Lowery, former NFL star

Levy's loved ones draw strength from remembering her physical and mental fortitude and the importance of her mission to endure.

In the Golan Heights, Lowery visited the soccer field in Majdal Shams where 12 Druze children and teenagers were killed and at least 42 were injured by a Hezbollah rocket on July 27, 2024. There, he comforted Jwan Ibraheem, a 13-year-old boy who was crying because he blamed himself for not being able to save his friend who was killed.

The group, led by Rubin, went onto the field where tragedy struck and started playing soccer with the kids. Suddenly, even if just for a moment, they forgot about their sadness and grief. He said it felt like half of the town came out and "the darkness evaporated."

The Israelis that Lowery met displayed remarkable resilience, with their collective attitude being "no one will take my light away." Despite air raids, people were still surfing and having cocktails at the beach, he observed.

Lowery expressed his deep emotional connection to Jewish people because of his grandmother's experiences at the Dachau concentration camp. He is committed to bringing Jews and Christians together and continuing to meet with families. He said, "I feel so honored to know these people. They’re in my heart now." Lowery added that football is a tough sport, but this work is the most important he has ever done. He and Rubin emphasized their lifelong bond.