Los Angeles, CA – The NFL and USAA, an official NFL Salute to Service partner, announced today the 2024 nominees for the annual Salute to Service Award presented by USAA. Each year, the award recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni who have demonstrated a commitment to honoring and supporting military and veteran communities. The Los Angeles Rams are proud to announce quarterback Matthew Stafford as their 2024 Salute to Service Award nominee.
Over the course of Stafford's 16-year NFL career, he has impacted a wide range of non-profits and supported many causes, but one constant has been his commitment to the military and veteran community. Since joining the Rams, Stafford has generously hosted a variety of active-duty military members from California military bases and veterans from Merging Vets and Player and the Gary Sinise Foundation at games.
This season, for the Rams' Salute to Service game on Monday, Nov. 11, Veteran's Day, Stafford will host a group of young people who are choosing to do what less than 1% of Americans are willing to do – enlist in the United States Military. Additionally, the Staffords worked with the Rams to create a "Honor Row" and will host a group of Navy SEALs identified by the Navy SEAL Foundation for the Salute to Service game.
Stafford also has supported American Red Cross' Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign and was featured on a holiday card that read, "From the players on the football field to the heroes protecting our country and freedoms. Thank you for your service." The Rams, including Matthew's wife, Kelly, visited local schools to engage kids in writing holiday messages of thanks for those serving our country. The cards were then collected and mailed to military members serving domestically and overseas as well as veterans living the United States.
Beyond what has been outlined above, over the years, Matthew and Kelly Stafford have quietly supported military and veterans on their own without any fanfare or publicity.
Fans have an opportunity to vote and help determine the award's three finalists. To cast your vote for Stafford, visit NFL.com/SaluteFanVote. From now until November 30, fans can submit one vote per day. Finalists of the award will be announced in January, and the recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally in February during the week of Super Bowl LIX.
As the presenting sponsor of the Salute to Service Award, USAA, will contribute $25,000 in the recipient's name to official aid societies representing all U.S. military branches. The NFL will match USAA's contribution by donating an additional $25,000 to the awardee's military or veteran charity of choice.
The Salute to Service Award is part of the NFL and USAA's year-round commitment to recognize and honor the military and veteran community. Through the Salute to Service initiative, the NFL and its 32 teams come together to honor, empower and connect with service members, veterans and their families. Salute to Service will come to life in NFL stadiums across the country during Weeks 10-12 of the regular season through on-field branding and other game day activations. Visit NFL.com/Salute to learn more.
