Tag: Salute to Service

Saints RB Latavius Murray nominated for Salute to Service Award

New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray was nominated for the 2020 Salute to Service Award due to his appreciation for the military.

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New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray was chosen as the team’s nominee for this year’s Salute to Service Award presented by USAA, the NFL announced this week.

Murray’s nomination owes to his continued appreciation for the American military, informed by the experience of his fiancée and childhood friend Shauntay, a 13-year U.S. Navy veteran, and which he’s shown through volunteerism and fundraising to support service members and their families.

Here’s some details about Murray’s nomination, from an NFL press release:

“Murray said he’s been able to see characteristics that help military members accomplish their jobs overlap with elements that help in football. The up-close view of commitment, sacrifice and unselfishness has inspired Murray to do more to support military members and their families. He has participated in a USO Tour to visit troops serving in Germany and Italy. Additionally, Murray become the second NFL player to ever serve as an ambassador for the United Heroes League. United Heroes League provides sports registration fees and equipment for children in military families. Murray said his goals for the ambassador position are to increase awareness, help raise funds and show that the people that are actually involved truly care.”

Finalists for the tenth annual Salute to Service Award will be announced in January, with the winner decided at the upcoming NFL Honors celebration prior to Super Bowl LV. So stay tuned to see if

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Eric Hipple is the Lions nominee for the Salute to Service Award

Hipple has devoted tons of time and resources to veteran’s causes in his retirement

Former Detroit Lions starting quarterback Eric Hipple is this year’s nominee from the team for the annual Salute to Service Award. The nominations, fittingly released on Veteran’s Day, are sponsored by USAA.

Hipple has overcome a lot of personal issues since his playing days, and he’s turned his own struggles into being a beacon of light and action for several veteran’s causes.

From the press release announcing Hipple’s candidacy,

Eric’s interest in supporting active military and veterans initially began after losing his son to suicide, which led him down a dark path. After finding clarity and purpose, Eric began his military outreach to help those that may have had similar transitions. With resilience as the focus, his first step in military engagement was serving as the keynote speaker of the 2009 Dept of Defense Suicide Prevention Conference in San Antonio. Since then, his work has focused on improving the mental fitness of active military and veterans in hope that they will have an improved quality of life. Workshops followed with the US Fleet Forces and visiting bases in Europe, Middle East, South Pacific and US. In partnership with The Department of Defense, Eric introduced the ‘Real Warrior Campaign’ to former players and veterans. In coordination with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), Eric recruited former players to military bases to help build the morale of service members. Transition from the military also became a focal point and working with The Eisenhower Center’s “After the Impact Program”, has allowed Eric to assist in creating a safe place where legends and veterans could be treated for behavioral symptoms together. Eric also conducts many trainings and workshops to ensure that veterans are properly educated on resources and benefits. Eric is currently collaborating with VETLIFE, a veteran owned nonprofit to build a peer to peer outreach program.

Hipple is one of 32 nominees, one from each team. Good luck to Hipple, and thanks to all veterans out there for serving.

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Ex-Chargers’ Donnie Edwards wins Salute to Service Award

Former Chargers linebacker Donnie Edwards has won the NFL’s 2019 Salute to Service Award.

Former Chargers linebacker Donnie Edwards has won the National Football League’s Salute to Service Award.

Edwards was recognized Wednesday by the league and exceptional efforts to honor and support members of the military community. He will be recognized on Saturday night during the NFL Honors – the primetime show which presents its individual awards for the 2019 season.

“I’m honored to be the recipient of the Salute of Service Award for my work with the military,” Edwards said. “It means so much to me to continue the legacy of my grandfather, Maximino, by honoring the ones who defended – and continue to defend – freedom.”

USAA, a leading provider of insurance and other services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families, will contribute $25,000 in Edwards’ honor to the official aid societies representing all five military branches. The NFL will match USAA’s donation of $25,000, which will be donated to the Edwards’ military charity of choice.

Edwards spent five seasons with the Chargers from 2002-2006. He was twice voted as an All-Pro linebacker and was one of only eight players in the history of the NFL to record 20 interceptions and 20 sacks over a career.

Edwards has founded the Best Defense Foundation that takes World War II veterans and Vietnam Veterans back to their battlefields and memorials so they can pay homage to their fallen brothers who never got a chance to live a full life.

The Chargers legend brought sixteen World War II veterans back to the shores of northern France to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

Ex-Chargers LB Donnie Edwards named NFL Salute to Service nominee

Former Chargers linebacker Donnie Edwards has been selected to be the team’s 2019 NFL Salute to Service nominee.

Former Chargers linebacker Donnie Edwards has been selected to be the team’s 2019 NFL Salute to Service nominee, the league announced.

The award, presented annually by USAA and the NFL, honors a league member who demonstrates commitment to honoring and supporting the military community across the country and overseas.

Edwards spent five seasons with the Chargers from 2002-2006. He was twice voted as an All-Pro linebacker and was one of only eight players in the history of the NFL to record 20 interceptions and 20 sacks over a career.

Edwards has founded the Best Defense Foundation that takes World War II veterans and Vietnam Veterans back to their battlefields and memorials so they can pay homage to their fallen brothers who never got a chance to live a full life.

Edwards brought sixteen World War II veterans back to the shores of northern France to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

Past nominees from the franchise include defensive tackle Sean Lissemore and Alex Spanos. Finalists will be announced in January, and the recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on Feb. 1, 2019 in Miami, FL, the night before Super Bowl LIV.

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