Vincent Jackson to Receive the 2015 Salute to Service Award at the NFL Honors
The NFL and USAA awarded Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver VINCENT JACKSON with the 2015 Salute to Service Award presented by USAA, the league’s Official Military Appreciation Sponsor. The award was created to acknowledge the exceptional efforts by members of the NFL community to honor and support members of the military community.
Jackson will personally accept the award at NFL Honors in the San Francisco Bay Area, the night before Super Bowl 50. USAA, a leading provider of insurance and other services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families, will contribute $25,000 in Jackson’s honor to the official aid societies representing all five military branches.
“Vincent Jackson has been a longtime leader in the NFL community for his efforts to honor our nation’s military and is a well-deserving recipient of this year’s Salute to Service Award presented by USAA,” said Vice Admiral (Ret.) John Bird, USAA’s senior vice president of military affairs. “Coming from a military family himself, Vincent has not only made an incredible personal commitment to support military families through his foundation’s contributions, but has also inspired so many others to join his worthy cause.”
A self-proclaimed “military brat,” three-time Pro Bowler Jackson is proud of his parents’ combined 25 years of active-duty service in the Army. On Veterans’ Day 2012, Jackson launched the Jackson In Action 83 Foundation to support military families by focusing on the educational, emotional and physical health of military children. In 2014, Jackson wrote a children’s book, Danny Dogtags: Dealing with Deployment, relaying the challenges he faced in a military family.
“Words cannot express how honored I am to represent the NFL and USAA for this prestigious award,” said Jackson. “All recognition truly goes to those who sacrifice and serve our nation, both past and present, and their continued efforts to protect our freedom. I was blessed to have been raised in an environment where the significance of duty, leadership, and hard work were stressed on a daily basis, and I simply try to carry that out in my personal and professional life. Thanks, once again, to the NFL and USAA for providing such an impactful platform to recognize our nation’s Armed Services – the true heroes who deserve this most.”
In July 2015, Jackson hosted the Second Annual Military Moms Baby Shower for 40 expecting or recently delivered military moms. Jackson and his wife surprised each woman with more than $1,000 in merchandise to help them care for their infant. Jackson provides a special gameday experience for local military families through the “Jackson in Action” Front Row Fans section. This is the third year in a row the Buccaneers have nominated Jackson for the Salute to Service Award presented by USAA. He was the 2014 runner-up for the award.
In November 2015, 29 NFL clubs nominated coaches, active and retired players and team executives and personnel who best demonstrated support for the military community. The submissions were evaluated by a panel of judges, including last year’s recipient defensive endJARED ALLEN (then with Chicago Bears, now with Carolina Panthers). Nominees’ qualifications are evaluated based on the individual’s positive impact on the military community, the type of service conducted, the thoroughness of the program and level of commitment.
The panel of judges, consisting of representatives from the U.S. military, the NFL and USAA, includes:
· Vice Admiral John Bird (Ret.), U.S. Navy veteran, USAA Senior Vice President of Military Affairs
· Rocky Bleier, U.S. Army veteran, four-time Super Bowl champion
· Jared Allen, Carolina Panthers defensive end and the 2014 Salute to Service Award recipient
· Chad Hennings, Air Force Academy graduate, three-time Super Bowl champion
· Tod Leiweke, NFL Chief Operating Officer
· Jim Mora, Sr., Marine Corps veteran, former NFL head coach
· Roger Staubach, Naval Academy graduate, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback and Super Bowl MVP
Previous winners include:
· defensive end JARED ALLEN (2014), then with Chicago Bears, now with Carolina Panthers
· Baltimore Ravens Head Coach JOHN HARBAUGH (2013)
· Chicago Bears cornerback CHARLES TILLMAN (2012)
· Tennessee Titans late owner K.S. “BUD” ADAMS, a World War II veteran (2011)
The Salute to Service Award is part of the NFL and USAA’s year-long commitment to recognize and honor the military community. To find out more about the NFL’s Salute to Service campaign or to read teams’ nominations, visit www.nfl.com/salute.
About USAA
The USAA family of companies provides insurance, banking, investments, retirement products and advice to 11.2million current and former members of the U.S. military and their families. Known for its legendary commitment to its members, USAA is consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee well-being and financial strength. USAA membership is open to all who are serving our nation in the U.S. military or have received a discharge type of Honorable – and their eligible family members. Founded in 1922, USAA is headquartered in San Antonio. For more information about USAA, follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@USAA), or visit usaa.com.
