FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/4/19 NFL Announces Nominees for Salute to Service Award Presented by USAA The NFL and USAA, an Official NFL Salute to Service Partner, have announced the 32 nominees for the ninth annual Salute to Service Award presented by USAA. The Salute to Service Award annually recognizes NFL players, coaches, personnel and Legends who demonstrate an exemplary commitment to honoring and supporting the military community, as nominated by NFL clubs. Finalists will be announced in January, and the recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on Feb. 1, 2019 the night before Super Bowl LIV. “The 2019 ‘Salute to Service Award presented by USAA’ nominees truly deserve this moment of recognition for their strong commitment to honor and recognize our military members, veterans, and their families,” said Vice Admiral (Ret.) JOHN BIRD, USAA Senior Vice President of Military Affairs. “From visiting service members on base at home and abroad, volunteering with veterans service organizations, and helping with veteran hiring programs, this year’s nominees are true examples of how players, coaches, and fans can, through meaningful action, show their deep appreciation for the military community.” Current San Francisco 49er and former Atlanta Falcons guard BEN GARLAND was last year's award recipient. Garland will serve on the award panel and vote to select the 2019 Salute to Service Award recipient. As the presenting sponsor of the Salute to Service Award, USAA, a leading provider of insurance and other services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families, will contribute $25,000 in the recipient’s name to the official aid societies representing all five military branches. The NFL will match USAA's contribution of $25,000, which will be donated to the award recipient's military 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 community. Each year, the NFL and its 32 teams come together to honor, empower and connect with members of the military as part of the NFL's Salute to Service. The League's year-round military appreciation efforts culminate in November with NFL Salute to Service games and other special events honoring and thanking veterans, active duty service members and their families. Since 2011, USAA has used its sponsorship to honor and appreciate active-duty military, veterans and their families by creating unique opportunities that bring the military community and the NFL closer together. Among numerous events this season, USAA hosted "NFL Boot Camps" during training camp with multiple teams and at military installations at home and abroad, where military members competed in drills similar to those used at the NFL Combine, Super Bowl ticket giveaways for military veterans and offering military members the chance to meet NFL players in small groups. Fans can join the NFL and USAA in honoring the military community by visiting NFL.com/Salute. Below is a list of the 2019 Salute to Service Award presented by USAA nominees: Team 2019 Salute to Service Award Team Nominees Arizona DENNIS GARDECK (Linebacker) Cardinals Dennis Gardeck grew up in the Chicago area and earned all-conference honors as a defenseman in lacrosse in addition to playing for the football team. He went on to star at West Virginia State before transferring to Sioux Falls as a graduate transfer in 2017. As a senior, he was named to five Division II All-America teams, selected as a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award (Small College Defensive Player of the Year) and earned first-team All-NSIC and NSIC Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors. Since joining the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2018, Gradeck has played 22 games and totaled 14 special teams tackles. During his time in Arizona, linebacker Dennis Gardeck has rarely missed an opportunity to participate in community service events such as school trips, kids camps and hospital visits. One cause particularly important to him, however, is giving back to military veterans, an initiative the second-year Cardinal supports with the same passion he brings to the field. “I see a lot of similarities between football and the service – the comradery, intensity and brotherhood” Gardeck said. “We have the freedom to play a game we love because of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who have served, and it’s important to show our veterans that we care about them and appreciate all they’ve done.” Gardeck recently participated in “Operation Sleep,” a military appreciation event hosted by Cardinals Charities and Brooklyn Bedding at MANA (Marines, Army, Navy and Air Force) House in Phoenix. He and team representatives delivered 76 beds to the residents of MANA House, which is a peer-support organization that helps rebuild the lives of military veterans affected by homelessness. "When the Cardinals come in, the attitude of the men really just changes," said Wendy Owens, Charities Manager at MANA House. "Their eyes just light up. It brings out a softer side of them." Gardeck will return to MANA House during the Cardinals bye week in late November to spend time with the residents during a canvas painting event. While staying at MANA House, veterans build savings with the goal of moving out on their own, and the paintings they create with Gardeck will help furnish their new home. Atlanta STEVE CANNON (Chief Executive Officer) Falcons Steve Cannon, CEO of Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur M. Blank’s family of businesses, is the personification of what the NFL’s Salute to Service Award was created to honor. His passion and drive to provide America’s military community meaningful recognition, unique engagement opportunities and enduring support they may not otherwise have is constant and central to his leadership ethic. Cannon’s commitment to the military and related causes began with his own personal commitment. Cannon, who graduated with honors from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986, was Airborne Ranger qualified and served as First Lieutenant in West Germany during the fall of the Iron Curtain. During his time in the Army he also served five years as an artillery officer. Through Cannon’s countless hours of service to multiple military non-profits over the years, his constant “military first” mindset and utilization of the NFL’s platform has provided active duty service members, veterans and military families with first class experiences and support. In addition to empowering and giving back to the military community, Cannon has played a large role in bringing awareness to the general population on the importance of honoring and recognizing our Nation’s Heroes. Through Cannon’s military and professional career, he has consistently found ways to implement programs in service to our military, active duty specifically. Upon his entrance into the Atlanta Falcons organization, he realized the impact of the NFL platform and challenged the Club to be “best in class” and to “become the benchmark franchise in all of professional sports” in terms of the Falcons military outreach and appreciation. The Atlanta Falcons became the first ever NFL team to conduct their own USO Tour. Another challenge that Cannon put on the team was to make every single Atlanta Falcons home game a Salute to Service game; and to not just celebrate our current service members and veterans once in November. Additionally, the Falcons host and honor through video tribute, a family from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) at every single home game. The Falcons have raised more than $250,000 to help homeless veterans across the state of Georgia. On Jan. 1, 2014, Cannon’s life was changed forever when his brother, also a West Point graduate, took his own life due to post traumatic stress disorder. Cannon, through his heartbreak, also found a light. Seeing what his family was going through, he wanted to make sure that any other family that experiences the unbearable pain of losing a loved one, feels cared for, is nurtured and has opportunities in their time of most need. Cannon serves on the Board of Directors of three organizations whose values are built around providing opportunities for military and their families. Since 2014, he has served on the Board of Directors for Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund and Children of Fallen Patriots; while also serving on the TAPS Board of Directors since 2017. Cannon co-founded the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund in 2014, a nonprofit organization that honors military service and sacrifice by providing scholarships and educational programs to veterans and military family members, especially to children of our nation's fallen or disabled. Since 2014, Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund has helped over 1,500 military children with scholarships totaling $12 million; the Fund will award an additional $4 million+ in scholarships in 2019. A member of the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund Executive Committee and Board of Directors, Cannon has been instrumental in their fundraising efforts. They have raised $20 million since 2014. Cannon always has the United States military on the forefront of what we do, and their families, and the Atlanta Falcons are honored to have a such a special leader push the organization to excellence and make sure they take care of those who fight for our freedom every day. “There is a debt we owe to those who make the ultimate sacrifice and we will pay that debt by taking care of the families left behind,” says Cannon. Baltimore JOHN HARBAUGH (Head Coach) Ravens Throughout his 12-year tenure as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, John Harbaugh has displayed an unwavering commitment to the military.