At the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, a Shelby Township family took the stage in honor of a son, a brother, and a soldier who volunteered to stand in harm’s way — and ultimately gave his life doing so.
Army Pfc. Christopher D. Kube, assigned to G Company, 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Colorado, was just 18 years old when he was killed in Baghdad, Iraq, on July 14, 2007.
Nearly two decades later, his family — father David, stepmother Krista, and siblings Jonathan, Jessica, and Jennifer — honored his memory by announcing the Detroit Lions’ second-round pick, a moment made possible by the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and the NFL’s Salute to Service initiative.
“This is all his doing,” said David Kube. “His spirit is telling us to do this.”
Born and raised in Michigan, Christopher was a die-hard Detroit sports fan. Lions, Red Wings, Tigers — he supported them all with the kind of passion only a true hometown kid could. The dream he once spoke about — taking his father and brother to a Super Bowl — was cut short when a roadside bomb ended his life while he was serving as a gunner on a combat patrol in Baghdad.
Christopher originally enlisted as a supply specialist but volunteered for more dangerous work after arriving in Iraq. Instead of sticking to the safety of the supply yard, he stepped up to join the Personal Security Detachment (PSD) team — conducting combat patrols and providing security for battalion leadership and visiting dignitaries. It was dangerous work by anyone’s standards, but Christopher didn’t back down. He chose to put himself in harm’s way.
His journey to service wasn’t an easy path. As a teenager, he struggled to find direction. But after enrolling in the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy, a military-style program near Kalamazoo, he emerged with a renewed sense of purpose. At just 17, he enlisted in the Army — old enough to carry a rifle in combat, but still too young to legally buy one as a civilian.
“When I saw him, I asked, ‘How old are you, 10?'” remembered his platoon sergeant, Staff Sgt. Eugenie Byron-Griffin. “‘What are you doing here? You’re a baby.’ He looked me straight in my eye, with his chest poked out like he does, and he said, ‘I’m 17, and I ain’t no baby. I’m a man.'”
Those who served with Christopher remembered him as small in stature but larger than life in spirit — determined, stubborn, and brave beyond his years. Even when he was scared, he faced it head-on. As his company commander, Capt. Steve Poe, said during his memorial, “Kube is gone but never forgotten. I ask you to pick it up and drive on. That’s what I believe Kube would do. He’s just that kind of guy.”
Now, thanks to TAPS and the NFL, the Kube family got the chance to fulfill a piece of Christopher’s dream. They stood before the world at Lambeau Field, surrounded by tens of thousands of fans, and announced the Detroit Lions’ pick — carrying forward his spirit, his love for the game, and his love for life.
David Kube admitted the moment was overwhelming. But like his son taught him — even when you’re scared, you face it.
The family of U.S. Army Specialist Christopher Kube — a proud Michigander and lifelong #Lions fan announced our selection of Tate Ratledge @TAPSorg
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 26, 2025
📺 #NFLDraft on NFLN, ABC & ESPN pic.twitter.com/bayr2JiqQP
Christopher Kube chose to serve when he could have stayed safe. He chose to step up when others might have stepped back. And in doing so, he gave everything.
At the NFL Draft, his family made sure the world knew: Heroes like Chris are never forgotten. Not on the battlefield, not at home, and not under the bright lights of America’s biggest stages.
© 2025 The Salty Soldier All rights reserved.
The content of this webpage may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written consent of TheSaltySoldier.com
