Salute to Service Award

NFL Salute to Service Award
Christian McCaffrey, the 2025 recipient
Awarded forRecognizes exceptional efforts by members of the NFL community to honor and support U.S. service members, veterans, and their families.
Presented byNFL & USAA
History
First award2011
Most recentChristian McCaffrey

The Salute to Service Award is an annual award given presented by USAA at the NFL Honors. It is part of the NFL's larger Salute to Service initiative, which aims to honor, empower, and connect with U.S. service members, veterans, and their families. As of 2025, the campaign has raised over $75 million since its inception in 2011. The award aims to acknowledge members of the NFL community that honor and support U.S. service members, veterans, and their families with exceptional effort. The award is unique in that it can be awarded to any member of the NFL community, not just players and coaches.

Winners

Year Player Position Team Ref
2011 Bud Adams Owner Tennessee
2012 Charles Tillman CB Chicago
2013 John Harbaugh HC Baltimore
2014 Jared Allen DE Chicago
2015 Vincent Jackson WR Tampa Bay
2016 Dan Quinn HC Atlanta
2017 Andre Roberts WR Atlanta
2018 Ben Garland G Atlanta
2019 Donnie Edwards Legend LA Chargers
2020 Steve Cannon CEO Atlanta
2021 Andrew Beck TE/FB Denver
2022 Ron Rivera HC Washington
2023 Joe Cardona LS New England
2024 George Kittle TE San Francisco
2025 Christian McCaffrey RB San Francisco

References

  1. ↑ "Seattle Seahawks Celebrate NFL's Salute to Service Initiative, presented by USAA". www.seahawks.com. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  2. ↑ Richardson, Mark (November 11, 2025). "NFL Salute to Service raises millions for its military nonprofit partners". WTVT. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Finalists Announced for the 15th Annual NFL Salute to Service Award Presented by USAA | NFL Football Operations". operations.nfl.com. January 20, 2026. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  4. ↑ Associated Press (January 16, 2026). "McCaffrey, Jones, Ferguson finalists for NFL's Salute to Service Award". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  5. ↑ "NFL and USAA Announce 2025 Nominees from Across the League for Salute to Service Award". www.patriots.com. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Titans Owner Bud Adams Named First Winner of Salute To Service Award". www.tennesseetitans.com. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Tillman wins Salute to Service Award". www.charlestillman.org. Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation. February 4, 2013. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  8. ↑ "USO Tour Veteran and Ravens Coach John Harbaugh Receives NFL Salute to Service Award". United Service Organizations. February 19, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Bears Defensive End Jared Allen named Salute to Service Award honoree". NFL.com. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  10. ↑ Bradle, Trish (February 7, 2016). "Vincent Jackson presented with Salute to Service Award". 2026-02-01.
  11. ↑ Wilner, Barry (February 3, 2017). "Falcons coach Dan Quinn wins Salute to Service Award". Online Athens. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  12. ↑ Associated Press (January 31, 2018). "Falcons WR Andre Roberts wins Salute to Service award". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Air Force graduate Ben Garland wins NFL's Salute To Service Award". Air Force Academy Athletics. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  14. ↑ Hayley, Elwood (January 29, 2020). "Donnie Edwards Named 2019 Salute to Service Award Recipient". www.chargers.com. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Steve Cannon named recipient of NFL's Salute to Service Award". www.atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Broncos Andrew Beck Wins NFL's Salute To Service Award - CBS Colorado". www.cbsnews.com. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  17. ↑ "NFL and USAA Announce Washington Commanders' Ron Rivera as Recipient of 12th Annual Salute to Service Award | NFL Football Operations". operations.nfl.com. February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Joe Cardona Named Recipient of NFL's Military Service Award". Military Family Advisory Network. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  19. ↑ "George Kittle Named Recipient of NFL's 14th Annual Salute to Service Award". www.49ers.com. February 5, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  20. ↑ "49ers' Christian McCaffrey wins 2025 Salute to Service award". www.espn.com. February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 5, 2026.