Finalists Revealed for NFL Salute to Service Award – The Battle for Glory Begins!
The NFL, in partnership with USAA, has unveiled the finalists for the prestigious 14th Annual Salute to Service Award. This year, the honorees are Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, and Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox. These three players have been recognized for their unwavering commitment to supporting military service members, veterans, and their families.
Honoring the Military Community
The Salute to Service Award is part of the NFL and USAA’s year-round initiative to honor and connect with the military community. Through the Salute to Service program, the NFL and its teams actively engage in activities to empower and support service members, veterans, and their families. Each NFL team nominated a player, coach, or executive who demonstrated outstanding dedication to the military, with 32 nominees in total. These nominees, who included both active and retired players, were selected for their impactful contributions to the military community.
The recipient of the Salute to Service Award will be announced in February 2025 and honored at the NFL Honors event on Thursday, February 6.
“We are proud to recognize Aaron Jones, George Kittle, and Morgan Fox for their long-standing efforts to uplift the military community,” said USAA Senior Vice President and Head of Military Affairs, Major General (Ret.) John Richardson. “These athletes use their platforms to create meaningful change, enriching the lives of service members and their families while prioritizing service to others.”
In honor of the award recipient, USAA will donate $25,000 to the official aid societies of each branch of the military. The NFL Foundation will match this donation, with the funds directed to the recipient’s military charity of choice. The winner will also receive a specially designed military challenge coin, a token of recognition and membership in the military community.
The Role of Fans and the Selection Process
For the second year in a row, fans had the opportunity to vote for their favorite nominees. The finalists were selected based on a combination of the fan vote, an NFL internal committee, and USAA’s evaluation. Nominees were judged on the impact of their work, the scope of their service, and their level of commitment to supporting military families and veterans.
A panel of judges, including military representatives, NFL figures, and USAA leaders, will ultimately choose the winner. The panel includes prominent figures such as Chad Hennings, a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and three-time Super Bowl champion; Jim Mora Sr., a former NFL coach and Marine Corps veteran; and Joe Cardona, New England Patriots long snapper and U.S. Naval Reservist, who was the recipient of the 2023 Salute to Service Award.
The Finalists’ Impactful Contributions
Aaron Jones (Minnesota Vikings)
Aaron Jones has been a steadfast advocate for the military, inspired by his family’s long history of service. His father, Alvin Jones Sr., served 29 years in the U.S. Army, and his mother, Vurgess, served 27 years. Aaron’s brother, Xavier, currently serves in the U.S. Air Force. In 2020, Aaron and his twin brother Alvin Jr. founded the A&A All the Way Foundation, which focuses on supporting youth in military families. Aaron’s foundation helps children cope with the challenges of military life, including frequent relocations and deployments.
Over the years, Aaron has organized events such as Huddle for Heroes and provided joy-filled experiences like zoo trips for military families. His commitment extends beyond his foundation, as he regularly participates in events like T.A.P.S. (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) meet-and-greets and military member letter-writing campaigns.
George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers)
George Kittle’s dedication to the military stems from his family’s military background, with both his Uncle Pat and Grandfather Carl having served. Kittle has donated over 400 tickets to military and frontline heroes over the past six years and founded the Hidden Pearls Podcast in 2020, which highlights the stories of veterans. He has contributed more than $250,000 to military nonprofits and uses his platform to promote military causes.
Kittle’s connection to service members goes beyond the field. He has shown profound personal acts of kindness, such as gifting Super Bowl tickets to the family of fallen soldier SGT Martin LaMar and honoring Army veteran Chris Kleinsorge. Kittle also plays an active role in his team’s Salute to Service events, ensuring the military community is uplifted both on and off the field.
Morgan Fox (Los Angeles Chargers)
Morgan Fox has consistently dedicated his philanthropic efforts to supporting the military. Growing up in a military family, Morgan understands the sacrifices made by service members. During the offseason, Morgan visited U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, where he addressed military personnel and their families. He has also worked closely with the Wounded Warrior Project, hosting events and providing tickets to military-focused nonprofits. Morgan’s involvement goes beyond financial donations; he has created his own merchandise with all proceeds going to military charities. Over the past two years, he has also supported veterans through organizations like the Headstrong Project and War Heroes on Water, assisting veterans in overcoming emotional struggles after their service.
The Salute to Service Award finalists for 2024 exemplify the commitment, compassion, and dedication that go far beyond the football field. Aaron Jones, George Kittle, and Morgan Fox have all shown an unwavering commitment to supporting military families and veterans, and their continued efforts highlight the power of sports figures to positively impact their communities. As we look forward to the announcement of the award recipient in February, these three finalists remind us all of the importance of service and sacrifice, both on and off the field.
