2026 USAA Salute to Service Award Nominees List: Christian McCaffrey Wins 2025 Award at NFL Honors.

The NFL and USAA, an official NFL Salute to Service partner, today announced the 32 nominees for the 2026 Salute to Service Award presented by USAA. Representing all 32 NFL clubs, this year's nominees include players, coaches, staff and alumni who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to supporting U.S. service members, veterans and their families.

Now in its 16th year, the Salute to Service Award recognizes individuals across the league who go above and beyond to honor, empower and connect with the military community.

Fans can vote for their favorite nominee at NFL.com/SaluteFanVote, with one vote per nominee per day from now through Monday, November 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Fan voting will help determine the award's three finalists, who will be announced in January 2027. The award recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors, the league's annual primetime awards special, during the week of Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles.

What is the The Salute to Service Award.?

The Salute to Service Award is part of USAA and the NFL's year-round commitment to honor, empower, and connect with our nation's service members, veterans, and their families.

The Salute to Service Award recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni with demonstrable commitment to honoring and supporting military and veteran communities, as nominated by NFL clubs.

What is the USAA Contribution To The Salute to Service Award.

USAA will contribute $25,000 in the award recipient's honor to the official aid societies representing each of the military branches. The NFL will match USAA's donation of $25,000, which will be donated to the award recipient's military charity of choice.

Who won the Last Salute to Service Award in NFL Honors 2025?

Christian McCaffrey, the San Francisco 49ers running back, is the winner of the 2025 USAA Salute to Service Award, which was announced and presented at the 2026 NFL Honors.The award, in its 15th year and presented by USAA (an official NFL Salute to Service partner), recognizes exceptional efforts by NFL community members to honor and support U.S. service members, veterans, and their families. McCaffrey was selected over finalists like Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones and Dallas Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson.

USAA Salute to Service Award 2026 Shortlisted: Full List of 32 Nominees.

Below is the list of nominees for the 2026 Salute to Service Award presented by USAA from Arizona to Washington Commandaers:

Arizona Cardinals TE Elijah Higgins

Atlanta Falcons' Jerious Norwood (NFL Legend)

Baltimore Ravens special teams coach Ben Kotwica

Buffalo Bills OL Spencer Brown

Carolina Panthers LB Devin Lloyd

Chicago Bears DB Josh Blackwell

Cincinnati Bengals DT Landon Robinson

Cleveland Browns team physician Benjamin Boswell

Dallas Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson

Denver Broncos HC Sean Payton

Detroit Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp

Green Bay Packers DE Lukas Van Ness

Houston Texans RB Woody Marks

Indianapolis Colts LS Luke Rhodes

Jacksonville Jaguars S Rayuan Lane III

Kansas City Chiefs' Kendall Gammon (NFL Legend)

Las Vegas Raiders DT Adam Butler

Los Angeles Chargers K Cameron Dicker

Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford

Miami Dolphins LB Jacob Rodriguez

Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones

New England Patriots RB Reggie Gilliam

New Orleans Saints head team physician W. Stephen Choate

New York Giants VP of community relations Allison Stangeby

New York Jets' Tony Richardson (NFL Legend)

Philadelphia Eagles' cheerleader alumna and ambassador Rachel Washburn

Pittsburgh Steelers' Jon Kolb (NFL Legend)

San Francisco 49ers special teams coordinator Brant Boyer

Seattle Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald

Tampa Bay Buccaneers OL Ben Bredeson

Tennessee Titans DE Jacob Martin

Washington Commanders LS Tyler Ott.

Below is the list of previous Salute to Service Award recipients Since 2011.

List of Salute to Service Award winners, Past Recipients Since 2011-2025.

YEAR - RECIPIENT - TEAM

2025 — Christian McCaffrey, 49ers RB

2024 — George Kittle — San Francisco 49ers tight end

2023 — Joe Cardona — New England Patriots, long snapper.

2022 — Ron Rivera — Washington Commanders coach

2021— Andrew Beck — Denver Broncos fullback/tight end

2020— Steve Cannon,— CEO of Atlanta Falcons'

2019— Donnie Edwards — Los Angeles Chargers legend

2018— Ben Garland— Atlanta Falcons

2017— Andre Roberts— Atlanta Falcons

2016— Dan Quinn — (Head Coach) Atlanta Falcons

2015— Vincent Jackson— Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2014— Jared Allen— Chicago Bears

2013— John Harbaugh— (Head Coach) Baltimore Ravens

2012— Charles Tillman — Chicago Bears

2011— K.S. "Bud" Adams Jr. (Late Owner)— Tennessee Titans

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