NEW ORLEANS — San Francisco 49ers two-time All-Pro tight end George Kittle is the USAA 2024 Salute to Service award winner.
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones and Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox were the other finalists for the award.
The award recognizes the «exceptional efforts by members of the NFL family to honor and support the military community.» Kittle will be recognized at NFL Honors on Thursday night.
Kittle hosts military and frontline heroes at every 49ers game, donating more than 400 tickets over the past six years. Kittle and his family amplify community stories, nearly 60 of those involving veterans, through the Hidden Pearls Podcast founded in 2020. Kittle and his family created an app offering free mental health resources to veterans, including the meditative practices he uses while playing.
Kittle also has donated more than $250,000 to military nonprofits and further highlighted military organizations through My Cause My Cleats, including the Pat Tillman Foundation, TAPS, Merging Vets and Players, Operation Freedom Paws and Operation Surf.
«George Kittle truly embodies the essence of the Salute to Service Award,» NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. «His dedication to honoring service members and involvement with numerous military organizations makes him the perfect choice for this honor. The NFL family is proud of his dedication to give back to those who sacrifice for our country and congratulates him on this tremendous achievement.»
USAA, a provider of insurance, banking and other financial services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families, will contribute $25,000 in Kittle's honor to the official aid societies representing each of the military
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