The NFL and USAA announced the three finalists for the 15th annual Salute to Service Award on Thursday: the San Francisco 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey, Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr., and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson.
All three have built substantial military outreach programs, but they’ve done so through distinctly different lenses. The winner, announced at the NFL Honors on Feb. 5 in San Francisco, will be chosen by a panel that includes last year’s recipient — McCaffrey’s 49ers teammate, George Kittle.
Christian McCaffrey, Aaron Jones Sr., Jake Ferguson Named Salute to Service Finalists
McCaffrey’s commitment to the military community stems from a deep respect for service and a belief in supporting mental and physical wellness. Through the Christian McCaffrey Foundation, he honors and empowers veterans, especially those in Special Operations, with holistic health resources. The foundation’s flagship initiative, 23 and Troops, launched in 2021 and focuses on healing from post-traumatic stress using athlete-level care.
McCaffrey advocates for veterans to be treated as athletes and receive the same elite treatment. The foundation has invested nearly $700,000 in military support, including $250,000 to REBOOT Recovery for trauma healing and another $250,000 to Resilience Code for personalized medical care. The foundation also paid off holiday layaway balances for 515 military families. McCaffrey also actively participates in Salute to Service, connecting with active-duty members, veterans, and Gold Star families, and showcases 23 and Troops through the league’s My Cause My Cleats initiative.
Jones honors current and former U.S. military personnel through his A&A All the Way Foundation, founded by Aaron and his brother and inspired by his own family’s deep military roots and creating opportunities for support. His late father served 29 years in the U.S. Army and his mother served 27 years — both retiring as sergeant majors. His older brother, Xavier, currently serves in the U.S. Air Force. His dedication to the military community connects families and young people navigating the challenges of deployment, relocation, and transition by providing resources and care.
Jones hosts annual galas to raise money for military families, and in August, he hosted a back-to-school event focused on equipping students from military families with classroom supplies and encouragement they need to thrive. He spent time this spring on an NFL-USO Tour, where he visited U.S. service members stationed at military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. Included on the tour were visits to Camp Buehring and Camp Arifjan, the latter of which held special significance for Aaron, as his mother had previously been stationed there. Jones was a finalist for this award last year as well.
Meanwhile, Ferguson has made it a priority to honor, empower, and connect service members, veterans, and their families. He partners with USAA to visit local military bases and spend meaningful time with those currently serving. Ferguson pays tribute to the sacrifices of service members by actively supporting the National Medal of Honor Museum (NMOHM) and its mission to inspire future generations of character-driven leaders.
In 2024, he joined NMOHM President and CEO Chris Cassidy, Medal of Honor recipient and retired U.S. Navy SEAL Master Chief Britt Slabinski, and Washington Commanders legend Josh Morgan for a national Character Playbook LIVE event at AT&T Stadium. The event welcomed 900 students in person and thousands more virtually for a powerful discussion on commitment.
The judging panel includes Major General (Ret.) Bob Whittle of USAA, three-time Super Bowl champion and Air Force Academy graduate Chad Hennings, former NFL head coach and Marine Corps veteran Jim Mora Sr., NFL CFO and Army veteran Christine Dorfler, and Kittle.
Kittle won last year for his extensive work with military families, effectively passing the torch to McCaffrey as San Francisco’s 2025 nominee. Now, he’ll help decide whether his teammate joins him as a winner.
USAA will contribute $25,000 in the recipient’s name to military aid societies, with the NFL Foundation matching the donation for the winner’s charity of choice.
