NFL Salute to Achievement Award Nominees Announced
The NFL recently unveiled its 32 nominees for the Salute to Achievement Award, with each team putting forth one representative. This award celebrates players, coaches, staff, and alumni who significantly support the military and veteran community.
Notable nominees include Christian McCaffrey, a running back for the San Francisco 49ers, and Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. McCaffrey’s dedication to the military derives from a profound respect for service members and a commitment to promoting mental and physical wellness. His organization, the McCaffrey Foundation, has launched the 23andTroops initiative, aimed at healing veterans from post-traumatic stress through athlete-level care. In total, the foundation has invested nearly $700,000 in military support and assisted 515 military families by covering vacation lodging costs.
In addition to his foundation work, McCaffrey actively participates in the Salute to Service program. He engages with active-duty personnel, veterans, and Gold Star families, while also showcasing 23andTroops through the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative. In 2019 and 2020, he led the Wounded Warrior Project, and more recently, he managed the Logan Project for the past two seasons.
On the other hand, since taking the reins as head coach of the Chargers in 2024, Harbaugh has made it a point to invite TAPS families to team practices and Gold Star families to games, often conducting team events on military bases and Navy aircraft carriers. Before this season, he welcomed over 2,500 military members and their families to training camps hosted at the University of San Diego. Moreover, he initiated “Wise Words,” where he invites distinguished guests to share motivational messages with the team post-practice. On that occasion, the entire squad also visited the USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, where hundreds of sailors engaged with the Chargers players and staff.
Retired Maj. Gen. Bob Whittle from USAA remarked, “The Honorable Mention Award nominees are extraordinary representatives of the military community.” He emphasized the meaningful impact these individuals have on those who serve. USAA and the NFL take pride in honoring these nominees who uplift and connect with individuals in uniform, encouraging fans globally to express their gratitude.
Other notable nominees include Andrew Whitworth, who was the 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year, 2024 finalist Aaron Jones, and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson. Lindsey Hartig, a gameday supervisor for the Philadelphia Eagles, stands out as this year’s only female nominee and is also an Army veteran who graduated from West Point in 2006.
Four U.S. veterans are nominated: Denver Broncos Partnership Marketing Coordinator Luis Barajas, New England Patriots Security Member Fred Waggett, and New Orleans Saints Director of Network Operations Kelvin Smith.
Fans have the opportunity to vote for three finalists, with the announcement scheduled for January. The ultimate winner will be revealed during the NFL Honors event in Super Bowl week. Last year’s winner, George Kittle, will join the judging panel for this year’s awards.
