Houston Texans playing with spirit of gratefulness during Salute to Service game

The Houston Texans shared what it meant to play in the Salute to Service game to honor America’s armed forces.

On Sunday, when the Houston Texans take on the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium, they will be playing for more than an opportunity to keep their winning streak and playoff aspirations alive. They will take the field in honor of all the men and women of the United States Military who have served or are actively serving the country.

“It is something that is personal to me,” Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud told the Texans Wire. “My brother was in the Navy; he is a veteran, and I have a lot of respect for the military. For those who put their lives on the line so that we can have freedom and peace. It means a lot for them to get to a month of us recognizing them and showing them love back. We appreciate them and thank them for their service; it doesn’t go unnoticed.”

The late Texans owner Bob McNair started the tradition in 2011 of honoring all military branches by incorporating a Salute to Service game where the team donated tickets to service members, inviting each branch to present colors on the field and present a field-sized United States flag that would be honored during the playing of the National Anthem. The NFL decided to follow what Houston had started and now holds a Salute to Service game in stadiums around the country during November.

This past week, the Texans and Community Coffee hosted a Salute to Heroes tailgate at NRG Stadium, honoring military personnel and first responders for their service. Over 50 military members and first responders had lunch with Texans Legends, Lady Texans, Toro, Texans Cheerleaders, and Hannah McNair, Vice President of the Houston Texans Foundation. They also had an opportunity to meet the players after practice.

“It’s nice to be able to say thank you in person and just to honor them and serve them as they have served us,” said McNair.

Coach DeMeco Ryans has been a part of the Salute to Service game as a player and a coach and knows just how much this game means to the players and military personnel, both past and present.

“I feel like the people who serve our country are the reason why we can do a lot of the things we do here,” Ryans told Texans Wire after meeting with the media on Friday. “A lot of the freedoms we have in America come from the people who are sacrificing for us. I have a lot of family members who have served, and I am very grateful and thankful to them for their service.

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Eagles Operations Coordinator Cristian Narino Garcia named 2023 Salute to Service Award nominee

Philadelphia Eagles Operations Coordinator, Cristian Narino Garcia, is the @Eagles nominee for the @USAA @NFL #SaluteToService Award

Philadelphia Eagles Facilities Operations Coordinator Cristian Narino Garcia was announced as the Eagles nominee for the “Salute to Service Award presented by USAA.”

The annual award by USAA and the NFL honors a league member who demonstrates an exemplary commitment to honoring and supporting the military community. USAA holds the designation of Official NFL Salute to Service Partner.

In 2013, Garcia moved from Colombia to Jacksonville, Florida. Just two years later, he had enlisted in the United States Air Force.

“It was a great opportunity to give back to the country that welcomed me with open arms,” Garcia said.

In March of 2015, Garcia started basic military training. He credited his support system in Jacksonville, who helped him learn English, as the ones who inspired him to join the forces.

Past recipients of the award include Ron Rivera (2023), Andrew Beck (2022), Steve Cannon (2021), Dan Quinn (2020), Donnie Edwards (2019), Ben Garland (2018), Andre Roberts (2017), Dan Quinn (2016), Vincent Jackson (2015), Jared Allen (2014), John Harbaugh (2013), Charles Tillman (2012), and the late Tennessee Titans owner, K.S. “Bud” Adams, a WWII veteran (2011).

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Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders named 2023 Salute to Service Award nominee

The Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders are the @Ravens nominee for the @USAA @NFL #SaluteToService Award

With Veterans Day fast approaching, the NFL is saluting the services given to military personnel, and the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders can take a bow for everything they do in the community.

Ravens Cheerleaders were announced last week as the organization’s nominee for the “Salute to Service Award presented by USAA.”

Throughout the history of the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleading program, the squad has continually demonstrated their appreciation for servicemen and women, most prominently by touring overseas. Over the 25+ years that the Ravens Cheerleading program has been in operation, the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders have participated in 24 overseas tours to support our troops abroad. Approximately 12 members of the squad travel to entertain the troops on each tour. In the past, cheerleaders have missed family functions, weddings, and even taken unpaid leave from work to have the opportunity to entertain our troops. This October, the Ravens Cheerleaders extended their time in London for the NFL UK game between the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans to make a few extra stops while overseas. The squad visited several US military troops deployed at bases all over the United Kingdom. The Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders not only support troops abroad but are also very active in the Baltimore community supporting active and veteran military personnel close to home; this is a philanthropic priority for the squad, as there are numerous active-duty military members comprised within the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleading community. The 2023 Baltimore Ravens Cheerleading squad consists of five military members and additionally, there are 12 military members who serve as Baltimore Ravens Cheerleader alumni. A truly impactful moment for the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleading community occurred in early 2023 when the current squad was overseas visiting troops and made a special visit to see a former Baltimore Ravens Cheerleader who was actively serving overseas.

The annual award by USAA and the NFL honors a league member who demonstrates an exemplary commitment to honoring and supporting the military community. USAA holds the designation of Official NFL Salute to Service Partner.

Past recipients of the award include Ron Rivera (2023), Andrew Beck (2022), Steve Cannon (2021), Dan Quinn (2020), Donnie Edwards (2019), Ben Garland (2018), Andre Roberts (2017), Dan Quinn (2016), Vincent Jackson (2015), Jared Allen (2014), John Harbaugh (2013), Charles Tillman (2012), and the late Tennessee Titans owner, K.S. “Bud” Adams, a WWII veteran (2011).

Finalists for the award are scheduled to be announced in January. The recipient will be recognized at the NFL Honors Awards Show, which is set to air the week of the Super Bowl.

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Broncos nominate Randy Gradishar for 2023 Salute to Service Award

The Broncos named Randy Gradishar their 2023 Salute to Service Award nominee this week.

The Denver Broncos named Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalist Randy Gradishar as their 2023 Salute to Service Award nominee on Tuesday. The award is sponsored by USAA. 

According to a press release from the team, Gradishar has been instrumental in leading the franchise’s efforts to the military community.

Gradishar, the son of a World War II veteran, has participated in three United Service Organizations (USO) tours to troops in Iraq, Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Currently, Gradishar works as the Outreach Coordinator at Mt. Carmel Veteran’s Service Center nonprofit organization in Colorado Springs, helping active-duty military personnel make the difficult transition to civilian life.

Previous winners of this award include current Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera and former Broncos Ben Garland and Andrew Beck.

This honor is just a small part of what has been a significant year for the Broncos’ Ring of Famer. In addition to being named Denver’s Salute to Service nominee, Gradishar was named as a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist by the Senior Committee in August. His selection as a finalist by the Committee is almost certain to be seconded and set in bronze by the Hall of Fame’s voting committee the week before Super Bowl LVIII.

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James Winchester named Chiefs’ Salute to Service Award nominee

Long snapper James Winchester was named the #Chiefs’ Salute to Service Award nominee for the 2023 season.

The Kansas City Chiefs named long snapper James Winchester as their Salute to Service Award nominee on Wednesday, opening the door for the long-tenured special teamer to add another accolade to his impressive resume.

The two-time Super Bowl champion has become a fan-favorite since signing with Kansas City back in 2015 and has been a key contributor to special teams coordinator Dave Toub’s game plans for the better part of a decade.

According to the NFL, the Salute to Service Award, which is presented by USAA, “recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni with proven commitment to honoring and supporting military and veteran communities, as nominated by NFL clubs.”

Winchester’s participation in community service with the Chiefs is well-documented, and his affinity for working with veterans makes him an ideal fit for nomination for such a prestigious award.

Fans are encouraged to vote for the veteran long-snapper to increase his chances of winning the coveted decoration.

A first look at every NFL team’s 2023 Salute to Service gear

Get your favorite NFL team’s 2023 Salute to Service gear. 100% of profits benefit the NFL’s military nonprofit partners.

The NFL is continuing to show their support for the United States military with their 2023 line of Salute to Service gear.

Every team in the league will begin wearing their annual Salute to Service hoodies, shirts, hats and more, but with a new twist.

The collection features a unique camo or military look with the custom Salute to Service emblem or U.S. flag. Salute to Service items include New Era hats, Nike t-shirts, longsleeves, hoodies, and more.

All profits go toward the NFL Foundation to benefit the league’s military nonprofit partners, such as the Wounded Warrior Project and TAPS–And they can all be found over at Fanatics.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop NFL Salute to Service gear at Fanatics” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/0Zn2DR”]

Check out the 2023 Salute to Service line of gear for your favorite team right here:

WATCH: K-9 units take down former Texans’ Whitney Mercilus for USAA Salute to Service

Former Houston Texans OLB Whitney Mercilus experienced what it is like to be taken down by K-9s at Randolph Air Force Base.

Whitney Mercilus took hits every Sunday in the NFL from 2012-21, but nothing could prepare him for a recent meeting with K-9 units.

Mercilus joined soon-to-be Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Joe Thomas to salute the military at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio. The two former NFL players were taking part in a “day in the life” experience as part of USAA’s Salute to Service — and that meant getting attacked by K-9s.

“It was absolutely an experience to get into the nitty gritty and to go through that training regimen,” Mercilus said. “The ferocity of the dogs, you couldn’t envision it. They are — as soon as they see a target, they are gone. They do their job. They execute it really well.”

Thomas and Mercilus stood in training gear and pretended to be perps and tried to see how far they could get away before being taken down by the K-9s.

“To be on the receiving end of it, I’ve always seen it on TV, and to actually be able to do it was a dream come true,” said Mercilus. “I will say it’s a little strange, but really that was an experience to know how powerful those dogs bites really are.”

Mercilus, who says he has been looking for new opportunities to experience in his life after the NFL, believed the outing was “perfect.” The only regret he has is not taking part in the experience during his playing days in the offseason.

Said Mercilus: “Should have loaded up and tried to run away from a dog. My speed could have got a lot faster.”

USAA is the official NFL Salute to Service partner.

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Ron Rivera talks what will determine Commanders’ decision on Chase Young’s 5th-year option

The offseason program begins on April 17, giving the Commanders a couple of weeks before a decision must be made.

The Washington Commanders have a big decision to make soon. No, we aren’t talking about who Washington will pick in the first round, but what’s to come after the 2023 NFL draft.

May 2 is Washington’s deadline to decide if it will pick up defensive end Chase Young’s fifth-year option for 2024. It’s amazing we are even at this point, considering Young was the NFL defensive rookie of the year in 2020.

However, a significant knee injury cost Young part of the 2021 season and all but three games of the 2022 season. Since his 2020 rookie season, Young has had 1.5 sacks in 12 games. Therefore, deciding to pick up his fifth-year option at over $17 million in 2024 isn’t the slam dunk it once was.

Head coach Ron Rivera made waves earlier this offseason when he declared the team hasn’t decided yet on Young’s fifth-year option. If Washington declines Young’s fifth-year option, both Young and fellow defensive end Montez Sweat would be unrestricted free agents in 2024.

On Tuesday, after being honored for winning the USAA Salute to Service award, Rivera spoke on what will go into this decision.

“That’s the thing that will drive a big part of the conversation,” Rivera said, courtesy of Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “As we continue to work through this and talk about it, it will be about seeing him and watching him. Again, we get started on April 17, so we’ll continue to work through these things — talk to the doctors, talk to the trainers, strength and medical, and just kind of get a feel for where he is. Then we’ll be able to make a decision, and we’ll go from there.”

From all indications, Young looks 100% healthy. In those three games he played in late last season, he looked like his old explosive self on the field. It was encouraging.

If you read between the lines of what Rivera said, it sounds as if the head coach wants to see Young in attendance at the team’s voluntary portion of the offseason program. In 2021, Rivera and the coaching staff was not happy that Young skipped that part of the offseason, even though it was voluntary. Remember, he was voted as a team captain.

If Young reports with the rest of his teammates on April 17, it could go a long way in the team deciding to pick up that fifth-year option. However, this is a complicated decision. For a player with Young’s skills, picking up the option is an easy call. But it’s not that simple, and it has nothing to do with the injury. Young’s production before the injury makes this decision more difficult.

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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.

Cowboys to bring back red, white, and blue helmet stripes Sunday night

The 1976 helmet stripes returned once last year; this week they’ll honor National Medal of Honor recipients in the team’s Salute to Service. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The Cowboys will recognize 17 Medal of Honor recipients during Sunday night’s game with the Colts at AT&T Stadium. In addition to much of the Dallas sideline wearing specially-painted cleats, there will be another noticeable pop of color to make the occasion memorable.

The team will wear the red, white, and blue helmet stripes that they sported for one season in the 1970s and then resurrected for one game last season.

The franchise first added a red accent to their iconic helmets as a surprise for the 1976 season as a way to celebrate America’s 200th birthday. (Read the full story of that quirky moment in time here.)

Last season, the throwback stripes made their first return in a Week 9 game versus Denver. The Cowboys were upset in that game by a 30-16 score, prompting many to want the red stripes stashed back in the archives for good.

But this Sunday’s Salute to Service home game- against the 4-7-1 Colts- seemed the perfect opportunity to try to break the bicentennial curse.

Several Cowboys players will be calling attention to the night’s theme, quite literally, from head to toe.

The entire offensive line is also slated to wear matching cleats that support the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation.

“We thought it would be a really cool thing to honor those recipients with the entire offensive line,” Dallas guard Zack Martin said this week. “It really is humbling… I don’t think a lot of people understand the sacrifice that these guys have gone through.”

Twenty-six Dallas coaches, including Mike McCarthy, will also wear at least one painted shoe to show their support.

The National Medal of Honor Museum is currently under development, to be built steps away from AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Charlotte Jones, Cowboys executive vice president and chief brand officer, is the foundation’s board chair. The Jones family has contributed $20 million toward the project.

Seventeen of the 64 living recipients of the Medal of Honor attended the team’s practice on Saturday. They’ll also be on hand for Sunday’s extra-colorful game.

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