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The National Football League has announced its 32 nominees, one from each organization, for the Salute to Service Award.
The award recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni who make outstanding efforts to honor and support the military and veterans communities, and Christian McCaffrey and Jim Harbaugh are among those nominated.
The San Francisco 49ers running back’s commitment to the military community stems from a deep respect for service and a belief in supporting mental and physical well-being. McCaffrey’s foundation’s flagship initiative, 23andTroops, focuses on recovery from post-traumatic stress through athlete-level care. The foundation has invested nearly $700,000 in military support and has also paid vacation leave to 515 military families.
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Christian McCaffrey and Jim Harbaugh are among the nominees for the NFL Salute to Service Award. (Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images. Denny Medley/Imagn Images)
McCaffrey also actively participates in Salute to Service, connecting with active duty members, veterans and Gold Star families and showcasing 23andTroops through the league’s My Cause My Cleats initiative. He represented the Wounded Warrior Project in 2019 and 2020 and The Logan Project in each of the last two seasons.
Since taking the helm as Los Angeles Chargers head coach in 2024, Harbaugh has hosted TAPS families for practices, welcomed Gold Star families to games and brought team activities directly to military bases and naval vessels. Prior to this season, Harbaugh welcomed more than 2,500 military personnel, veterans and their families to two training camps at the University of San Diego.
He also invited members of the US Coast Guard to participate in “Wise Words,” a tradition in which distinguished guests share an inspirational message during the team’s post-practice. Later that day, the entire team visited the USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, where hundreds of active-duty sailors observed the Chargers’ review, participated in drills, met with players and coaches, and showed the team around the carrier.
Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh during press conference at The Bolt in El Segundo CA, USA on May 7, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
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“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 retired Maj. Gen. Bob Whittle, USAA senior vice president and director of military affairs. “USAA and the NFL proudly honor these deserving nominees to honor, empower and connect with those who have worn our nation’s uniform, and we encourage fans around the globe to join us in showing our appreciation.”
Other notables include 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year Andrew Whitworth, 2024 finalist Aaron Jones, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson and Philadelphia Eagles game day supervisor Lindsay Hartig, who graduated from West Point in 2006, served in Iraq, and is the only female nominee this year.
Hartig is one of four American veterans nominated for the award, along with Luis Barajas, a partnership marketing coordinator for the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots safety Fred Waggett and New Orleans Saints director of network operations Kelvin Smith.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) celebrates his touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Santa Clara, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
Fans can vote for the award’s three finalists, which will be announced in January. The winner will be announced at NFL Honors during Super Bowl week.
George Kittle, last year’s winner, will join the Salute to Service Award panel, recognizing the time-honored tradition of helping select the newest recipient.
