Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz has been announced this year's nominees for the Salute to Service Award presented by USAA. Each year, the Salute to Service Award recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni who make exceptional efforts to honor and support military and veteran communities.
"The Salute to Service Award nominees are extraordinary advocates for the military community, demonstrating the impact that individuals can have in the lives of those who serve," said Major General (Retired) Bob Whittle, senior vice president and head of military affairs at USAA. "USAA and the NFL proudly celebrate these deserving nominees for honoring, empowering and connecting with those who have worn our nation's uniform, and we encourage fans across the globe to join in showing their appreciation."
Ertz exemplifies the core values of the NFL's Salute to Service initiative through his unwavering dedication to honoring, connecting with, and empowering service members, veterans and their families.
This year, Ertz represented the Commanders at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Joined by leadership from the Military District of Washington and soldiers from the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, Ertz paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America's veterans during this solemn, time-honored tradition at one of the nation's most sacred military sites.
Ertz also took part in a USO Pack4Troops event held at the Commanders' practice facility. Alongside team staff and volunteers from partner organizations, the veteran tight end helped assemble 2,000 care packages destined for deploying service members at USO airport centers.
Fans have the opportunity to honor through action, helping determine the award's three finalists by voting for their favorite nominee. One vote per day for each nominee is permitted. The three finalists will be announced in January, and the recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors; a primetime awards special to air nationally during the week of Super Bowl LX.
To learn more about each nominee and cast your vote, visit NFL.com/SaluteFanVote – voting is open now until Nov. 30.
The 2024 award recipient was George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers tight end. Kittle lends his platform and resources to uplift the military community by hosting military and frontline heroes at every game and donating over 400 tickets in the last six years. Through the Founding Hidden Pearls Podcast (HPP) founded in 2020, Kittle and his family amplify community stories involving veterans. Inspired by these stories, he and his family created an app offering free mental health resources to veterans, including the meditative practices he uses while playing. He has donated over $250,000 to military nonprofits and further highlighted military organizations through My Cause My Cleats, including the Pat Tillman Foundation, TAPS, Merging Vets and Players (MVP), Operation Freedom Paws and Operation Surf.
Kittle will join the Salute to Service Award panel recognizing the time-honored tradition of helping select the newest Salute to Service Award recipient. The Salute to Service Award panel members joining Kittle include Major General Bob Whittle (Ret.), SVP and Head of Military Affairs at USAA; Chad Hennings, Air Force Academy graduate and three-time Super Bowl champion; Jim Mora, Sr., Marine Corps veteran and former NFL head coach; and Christine Dorfler, NFL Chief Financial Officer and Army veteran.
For the past 15 seasons, the Salute to Service Award has been an integral part of the NFL's and USAA's year-round commitment to recognize the military and veteran community. As the presenting sponsor of the award, USAA, a leading provider of insurance, banking and financial services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families, will contribute $25,000 in the recipient's name to official aid societies representing all U.S. military branches. The NFL Foundation will match USAA's contribution by donating an additional $25,000 to the awardee's military non-profit charity of choice.
Through the league's Salute to Service initiative, the NFL and all teams from across the league unite to honor, empower and connect with service members, veterans and their families during Weeks 9-11 of the regular season. The initiative will come to life in NFL stadiums across the country through on-field branding and other game day activations.
