NFL and USAA Salute to Service efforts are not limited to November. It is the league’s year-round commitment to honoring, empowering and connecting with service members, veterans and their families. The result is the dedication of NFL players, coaches and staff to do some amazing things for the military veteran community.
At the end of the NFL season, the NFL and USAA present the Salute to Service Award to an individual in the NFL or one of its 32 teams who exemplifies the spirit of service through three areas of commitment: Honor, Empower, and Connect. Each year, each franchise nominates an outstanding member of their organization – anyone from the league’s players, staff, coaches or alumni who have done their best to reach the military community.
This year’s nominees include some of the NFL’s top players, employees who are themselves veterans, NFL players who left the league to join the military, top coaches, and even cheerleaders and a football legend. Receiving the Salute to Service Award isn’t about who they are in the league, it’s about what they do for the military.
Honor
Honoring the military means showing gratitude to the soldiers for their sacrifice by offering real support to the military, veterans and their families. See the article : Editorial l Cheerleaders Represent County | Editorials…. This comes in the form of partnerships, grants, and recognition that increases the connection between the NFL and the military community, increases patriotism and public support for most American institutions, and strengthens organizations that support the military community
Empower
Empowering the military community means leveraging the NFL platform, as well as that of its players, coaches and staff, to make a positive impact for those in need. From helping wounded warriors to improving physical and mental health, empowerment improves the long-term well-being of the U. On the same subject : THS Cheerleaders Host Second Annual Auto Show | County and Sunday.S. military and allows veterans to continue to serve their communities.
Connect
Football brings people together, and connecting service members and military families through a shared love of football is what connecting with Salute for Service is all about, but it also creates opportunities for these communities to be involved. Read also : O-Zone: The Underdog Story. The NFL can increase social bonding across the military while promoting American culture in local communities.
Nominees from each team are selected based on these three areas of support. Three of the 32 nominees become finalists, and one of them will receive a prestigious award. For the 2022 season, NFL fans were asked for the first time to vote for three finalists from each of the nominees. In November, each fan was given one vote per day to determine who would advance to the final round.
The finalists are announced in January, before the Super Bowl. The 2022 finalists are Cincinnati Bengals Tight End Hayden Hurst, San Francisco 49ers Tight End George Kittle and Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera.
Once finalists are selected, a selected panel evaluates each finalist’s contribution to the military veterans community. The panel includes last year’s Salute to Service Award winner, as well as players, coaches and veterans.
The recipient of the 2021 Salute to Service Award was Andrew Beck of the Denver Broncos. Joins panel with Chad Hennings, Air Force Academy alumnus and three-time Super Bowl champion, Jim Mora Sr., Marine veteran and former NFL coach, Lenny Bandy, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and NFL vice president of safety, and Vice Admiral (retired) Bird , USAA Senior Vice President of Military Affairs.
As the presenting sponsor of the Salute to Service Award, USAA is donating $25,000 on behalf of the recipient to help associations of all industries, while the NFL is doubling the recipient’s commitment to service by donating another $25,000 to a nonprofit of its choice.
Past recipients of the Salute to Service Award include:
2011: K.S. “Bud” Adams Jr.
