Tag: NFL Salute to Service

The Commanders introduce a new team dog for 2023

For the second straight year, the Commanders will have a new team dog that will train as a service dog for a deserving veteran.

The Washington Commanders have a new team dog. Last year it was Mando; now, the Commanders welcome Goldie.

Goldie is a four-month-old English Yellow Lab born in North Carolina that recently moved to Virginia, where she will undergo skills training. At the completion of her training, Goldie will return to K9s for Warriors, where she will act as a service dog for a deserving veteran.

The Commanders released a video showing head coach Ron Rivera placing a call to Goldie. It was creative. Rivera is a known dog lover and a massive supporter of the United States military. Rivera won the 2022 NFL Salute to Service Award, which honors someone from the NFL family [coach, player, executive, etc.] for their efforts to support and honor the military community.

Here’s more about K9s for Warriors from its official website:

K9s For Warriors serves our veterans as honorably as they served their country. Our lifelong program is provided to Warriors at no cost and is designed to deliver maximum benefit with minimum administrative costs. We are proud that generous supporters trust us to do the right thing with their contributions, and we have received widespread recognition for our stewardship. Impacting the lives of veterans will always be our greatest reward. Their continued participation in the program is the only validation we need.

Goldie will remain with the Commanders until she is between 10-14 months old and returned to K9s for Warriors to finish her training before being placed with a veteran.

WATCH: Commanders coach Ron Rivera receives NFL Salute to Service award at NFL Honors

Rivera’s speech is a must-see.

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was in the greater Phoenix area this week to receive the NFL’s Salute to Service Award. While in town, Rivera made his rounds on Radio Row, speaking with national and local media.

Rivera had an eventful day Wednesday, speaking on a number of topics important to Washington fans, such as quarterback Sam Howell, defensive end Chase Young’s fifth-year option and Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

On Thursday night, Rivera was present at NFL Honors with his wife, Stephanie, to receive the prestigious Salute to Service Award for his dedicated work with the United States Military.

When Rivera took the stage, he explained the commitment and selflessness of every military member, and there was no greater reminder of that than the statute of the late, great Pat Tillman outside of State Farm Stadium, where Sunday’s Super Bowl will be played.

Rivera then introduced the Ukrainian League of American Football. But instead of those men playing football, they stepped away from the game they love to protect their homeland.

Rivera then introduced four players from the Ukrainian League of American Football.

Powerful stuff.

Congratulations to Coach Rivera on a job well done.

 

Ron Rivera wins NFL’s Salute to Service Award presented by USAA

The NFL and USAA named Ron Rivera as the winner of the Salute to Service Award.

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was named as one of three finalists for the NFL and USAA’s Salute to Service Award last month, along with George Kittle [49ers] and Hayden Hurts [Bengals].

On Wednesday, Rivera was named the winner of the Salute to Service Award.

The Salute to Service Award “acknowledges the exceptional efforts by members of the NFL family to honor and support members of the military community.”

Rivera will be recognized on Thursday, Feb. 9, at the NFL Honors ceremony.

USAA will contribute $25K in Rivera’s honor to the official aid societies representing each branch of the United States Military. The NFL Foundation will match that donation to Rivera’s military charity of choice.

“During his time as an NFL head coach, Ron Rivera has set the standard for military appreciation, helping educate an entire generation of NFL community members on the importance of supporting our military, veterans, and their families,” said Vice Admiral (Ret.) John Bird, USAA Senior Vice President of Military Affairs. “Having grown up in a military family, Coach Rivera understands sacrifice and what it means to serve, and we thank him for carrying his service of our military forward, as we honor him as the recipient of this year’s Salute to Service Award presented by USAA.”

Rivera grew up the son of a U.S. Army officer and has always given back to service members and their families.

Rivera had the following statement:

“It is a tremendous honor to be selected as the Salute to Service Award recipient. I humbly accept this award on behalf of my father, Eugenio Rivera, who served as a warrant officer in the United States military for 32 years. Having grown up in a military household, I experienced the sacrifices that military members and their families must make firsthand, and I have always wanted to use my platform to raise awareness and assist the great men and women of our armed forces and their families,” said Ron Rivera. “I am thankful that the NFL has put an emphasis on bringing awareness to the ways we can support the men and women who fight for our freedom. I want to thank the Washington Commanders for dedicating significant resources in support of the military and in giving myself and our team numerous opportunities to do our part to show our troops that we support and care about them.”

Congratulations to Coach Rivera on this prestigious award.

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Ron Rivera named a finalist for the NFL’s Salute to Service award

The Salute to Service recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors next month.

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was named as one of three finalists for the NFL’s Salute to Service award, presented by USAA.

From the NFL:

The Salute to Service Award is part of USAA and the NFL’s year-round commitment to honor, empower, and connect with our nation’s service members, veterans, and their families. The 32 nominees were released in November and consisted of active and retired players, coaches, and team executives and personnel who best demonstrated support for the military community.

The other finalists are San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and Cincinnati Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst.

“All three of this year’s finalists for the Salute to Service Award presented by USAA serve America’s military community in different but impactful ways, with each deserving recognition for their exemplary commitment to those who wear the uniform,” said Vice Admiral (Ret.) John Bird, USAA Senior Vice President of Military Affairs.

The recipient will be recognized at the NFL Honors award show on Thursday, Feb. 9, on NBC, Peacock and the NFL Network.

USAA will contribute $25,000 in the award recipient’s honor to the official aid societies representing each of the military branches. The NFL will match USAA’s donation of $25,000, which will be donated to the award recipient’s military charity of choice. The award recipient will receive a specially designed military challenge coin, recognizing their commitment to the military. In what has become a long-standing tradition, challenge coins are presented to members of the military community to demonstrate membership, recognize excellence, or boost morale.

Rivera is an ardent supporter of the United States military, as his father, Eugenio, was an officer in the U.S. Army. Rivera grew up on military bases in the United States, Germany and Panama.

Congratulations to Coach Rivera, Kittle and Hurst.

Washington assistant RBs coach Jennifer King shares part of her journey, work with USAA

Washington Wire spoke with WFT assistant running backs coach Jennifer King, as she shares part of her inspiring journey and her partnership with USAA as the NFL honors Salute to Service all November.

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November is a special month around the NFL. The NFL honors all military personnel, veterans, and their families with Salute to Service throughout the month. Each team nominates one member of the organization for the Salute-to-Service award, which will be announced at the NFL Honors show in February.

Head coach Ron Rivera is Washington’s nominee for the award.

With Veteran’s Day on Thursday, USAA recently released a video featuring Washington assistant running backs coach Jennifer King and Tampa Bay assistant defensive line coach Lori Locust and two women from the United States military — Yencris Baez and Vanessa Thomas.

Check it out.

Washington Wire recently had the opportunity to speak with Coach King about her inspiring journey, and she discussed the filming of that video for the USAA.

“That was an awesome day,” King said. “Being with Coach Locust and spending the day with Yencris and Vanessa and hearing their stories was amazing.”

King believes her story and story of Locust, Baez, and Thomas can inspire the next generation of girls to become successful at anything they choose.

King has quite the story herself.

Not only did she become the first-ever Black woman to become a full-time NFL coach, but King also had a long list of accomplishments before coming to Washington. Before becoming a full-time NFL coach, King spent two years as a head basketball coach at Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In King’s first season, her team finished with a record of 15-6. In her second season as coach, she led Johnson & Wales to a 22-4 record. It was during that time, she met Rivera.

“Our facilities were actually next door to theirs,” King said of Rivera and the Panthers. A mutual acquaintance introduced King and Rivera, and it wasn’t long after she was an intern with the Panthers. Rivera was so impressed with King; he brought her back again in 2019 as an intern with the running backs.

When Rivera took over as Washington’s coach in 2020, he brought King with him.

King described what it was like working with Rivera.

“Coach Rivera is amazing,” King said.

Believe it or not, growing up in Reidsville, North Carolina, King was a fan of the Washington Football Team as a child.

“I actually grew up a Washington fan,” King said. “But when I was a kid, the Panthers came to North Carolina, and I kind of gravitated toward them.”

King offered plenty of hope for Washington fans in the second half of the season.

“We went on a run last year and made the playoffs,” King said. “We feel good about our team this year and believe we can go on another run in the final nine games. We have the talent.”

King noted how Rivera is a good second-half coach.

If you get the chance, please watch the video from USAA. It features the story of four inspirational and talented women, just in time for Veteran’s Day.

Washington nominates Ron Rivera for NFL’s ‘Salute-to-Service’ award

Ron Rivera has spoken often of his fondness for the United States military.

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Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera has long been outspoken about his love and appreciation for the United States military. Rivera often moved as a child due to his father’s military service.

Rivera’s father, Eugenio, served 32 years in the military.

Rivera said the following in an interview with ESPN back in 2013 regarding his family’s military history:

“I’m very proud of it,” Rivera said. “It’s kind of a neat thing to have been a part of it in my own small way, so I most certainly have a fondness there.”

Every year, the NFL honors the military during the entire month of November with Salute to Service. And, each team nominates one representative for the Salute-to-Service award, presented by USAA.

Washington nominated Rivera.

The Salute-to-Service award is presented annually to one player, coach, or team representative “who demonstrate a strong commitment to honoring and supporting military and veteran communities.”

The NFL will announce the finalists in January, and the winner will be honored at the NFL Honors show in February.

Congratulations to Coach Rivera, as this nomination is undoubtedly a special one for him.

Texans long snapper Jon Weeks gives back on Veterans Day

Veterans Day is special to Houston Texans long snapper Jon Weeks, who makes a point on giving back to the military community.

On Veterans Day, the United States recognizes those who fought for their freedom. For Houston Texans long snapper Jon Weeks, it means more to him; it’s family.

Weeks, who grew up as a military brat, saw his father serve 15 years in the Air Force, remembers his grandfather’s fight in World War II and recognizes his close friend who serves. He — as someone who grew up in both New York and Arizona — understands the importance of the holiday; not just for veterans, but for families like his who made sacrifices.

“Veterans day is so important. Not only are we thanking the men and women who served currently and former,” Weeks told The Texans Wire Monday. “But you got to remember how much the family sacrificed.”

Weeks doesn’t just understand the importance of Veterans Day, he also gives back. Recently, he partnered with Carnival Cruise Line to give U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Woodard a free cruise out of Galveston. The Woodard’s were also invited to the Texans’ annual Salute to Service game on Nov. 21.

Weeks’ charitable efforts with Carnival goes further than Woodard’s family. The cruise line donated $25,000 to Operation Homefront to help the organization continue its mission of building strong, stable, and secure military families.

Last week, Weeks was given the Texans’ nomination for the NFL and USAA’s Salute to Service Award. He calls the recognition an honor, one that hits close to home.

“I’m truly blessed to even tie myself into what these men and women do for us on a daily basis. It’s a true honor. I don’t think there is enough I can say about how special it is, about how close to me it hits,” said Weeks. “It’s a huge honor and it’s a privilege. I feel very honored that I was selected.”

In his 10 years in Houston, Weeks and his wife, Amanda, have been a staple at almost every military event the Texans have hosted, including the annual Houston Texans Military BBQ, where the two participated in greeting and serving food to attendees.

“The military community is so special,” said Weeks.

Last Thanksgiving, Jon and Amanda volunteered to serve Thanksgiving lunch to over 200 veterans at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston. He will be back in 2019. He calls the opportunity to meet Houston’s military community as an “unbelievable experience.”

“It’s something I’m very passionate about,” said Weeks. “As long as the opportunities to give back are out there, I’m going to give back.”

For Weeks, 2019’s Veterans Day will be spent practicing with his teammates after the Texans’ Week 10 bye. However, he makes sure that he completes his annual tradition: calling his dad, thanking him for his service and his sacrifice to halt his career in order to bring stability to his family.

“Honestly, it’s just a call to my dad, thanking him for what he did, thanking him for his service,” said Weeks on his Veterans Day tradition.

Giving back on Veterans Day does not have to involve a checkbook. Rather, as Weeks states it, it is simply thanking those who served and striking a conversation with them.

“Find your closest veteran possible and just go visit,” said Weeks. “These veterans just love the opportunity to sit down, talk and have a conversation and just talk to people… Find your closest veteran possible and just go hang out with them.

“At the end of the day, I always say I don’t think people thank them enough but, as always, thank you for everything.”