Tag: USAA

Jayden Daniels partners with USAA, MCA to send veteran to Super Bowl

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is partnering with USAA and MCA to send a 30-year USMC veteran to Super Bowl LIX.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels comes from a family of service. Both of his grandfathers served in the military, and Daniels has been vocal about his support of the military and its veterans. He may be a rookie, but he is humble and grounded and loves to give back to his community. Which is why he’s teaming up with USAA and the Marine Corps Association to send a 30-year USMC veteran to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

For his part, Daniels said, “Following my first NFL season, I’m feeling overwhelmingly blessed to be in this position and I credit a lot of the success to my upbringing and the lessons my parents passed down from my grandfathers, who served in the military. Keeping the important things in perspective, it’s an honor to work with the USAA and Marine Corps Association to thank Jonathan Knauth for his 30 years of service by sending him to the Super Bowl.”

Knauth resides outside of Washington, D.C. He and a guest will meet with Jayden Daniels and other NFL stars in person before attending the game, and the USAA is coordinating efforts with other players around the league.

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Patriots QB Drake Maye surprises military vet with tickets, trip to Super Bowl 59

Drake Maye and the USAA are sending an Army vet to the Super Bowl

The NFL has made it a cause to see that worthy fans get a chance to see the Super Bowl. A recent example saw New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye surprise a fan of the team and military vet with Super Bowl tickets and a trip to New Orleans next month.

There is a connection between Maye and the military, as his grandfather served in the Navy.

Maye teamed up with USAA and The American Legion to surprise Matt Jabaut, an Army vet from 1997 to 2005.

 

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Jabaut lives in Lewiston, Maine, and will bring his fiancé Caroline, who served in the Navy, as his guest.

Jabaut will meet Maye at the USAA Salute to Service Lounge before attending the game.

“It was awesome and a lot of fun getting to surprise Sgt. Matt Jabaut in Portland, Maine, with the news that we were sending him and his fiancé to the Super Bowl,”  Maye said. “Knowing my grandfather served, I have so much respect and gratitude for the men and women who’ve served our country, like Staff Sgt. Jabaut. “I’m so excited to have teamed up with USAA and The American Legion to gift Matt this once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I’m looking forward to seeing him again in New Orleans!”

WATCH: Kyle Hamilton talks Salute to Service, Eagles vs. Ravens, commitment to military families

All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton talks Salute to Service, Eagles vs. Ravens, Notre Dame vs. USC and his commitment to military families

Week 13 is here, which means the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative will be in full force, and Kyle Hamilton is taking the lead.

The My Cause My Cleats campaign will raise awareness of hundreds of teams that players around the league chose to help through customized cleats worn on game day.

Over the next two weeks, players will be permitted to wear footwear in colors other than their traditional team colors on game day, and Hamilton unveiled his cleats ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Hamilton, in partnership with USAA, the official Salute to Service partner of the NFL, chose to help Our Military Kids, a nonprofit organization for kids with parents in the military, either deployed or recovering from combat injuries.

Hamilton spoke to The Ravens Wire about why this was the right cause for his platform while discussing his time with several of those children in the program that he surprised a few weeks ago at the Ravens’ Under Armour Performance Center.

“We had them to the facility a few weeks ago, and about six or seven of them, ranging from ages 7 to about 13, had a great time. I got to talk with them and play some football and basketball. We were playing for probably an hour. It was awesome.”

In the video below, Hamilton talks about his Salute to Service, gives an injury update, and provides some insight into his evolving role as a leader for the Ravens.

Hamilton discussed Baltimore’s matchup with Philadelphia and Notre Dame’s battle with the USC Trojans.

Chapters
00:00
Salute to Service: Supporting Military Families
02:41
Injury Management and Upcoming Challenges
05:42
Leadership and Evolution in the NFL
08:15
Reflections on Notre Dame and the College Football Playoff

Here is the Commanders’ nominee for the 2024 Salute to Service Award

It’s Salute to Service Month. Who is the Commanders’ nominee?

The NFL, in conjunction with the USAA, annually awards players, coaches, staff, and alumni who have demonstrated a commitment to honoring and supporting military and veteran communities. On Friday, Jeremy Reaves was announced as the Washington Commanders 2024 Salute to Service Award nominee.

Head Coach Dan Quinn elaborated a bit on this during his weekly Friday press conference.

“We announced that today in the team meeting and we rely heavily on the military and some of the influence they have because I just, I felt like they have done team better than anybody.”

The Commanders on their team website took a moment to convey to the public that Reaves has gladly done more than his share to recognize and support the military and their families.

During his time with the team, Reaves has taken part in countless military base visits across the DMV – creating meaningful touchpoints between armed forces, their families and the Commanders community. During training camp, Reaves is often the last player on the field spending time empowering members of the military and veteran communities. Additionally, he has made numerous visits to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland where he spent time with our wounded, ill, and injured service members thanking them for their sacrifices.

Quinn went out of his way to express what type of player in the locker room Reaves is for the organization. “Great teammates make great teams, and Jeremy Reaves is a great teammate, and so we’re all really pumped for him to be our nominee for the Salute to Service award because, yeah, he represents everything that you’d want in a teammate, and that’s why I thought it was so impactful today.”

Reaves was the Pro Bowl special teams representative after his glowing 2022 season on the Washington coverage teams. In addition, when Adam Peters became general manager, he pursued and re-signed Reaves during the early free-agent signing period.

Reaves has four tackles this season, playing only four defensive snaps, but 138 special teams snaps.

The prestigious award, presented annually 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. 

Sean Payton broke Bo Nix news to military members visiting Broncos practice

Before telling the media, Broncos coach Sean Payton broke the Bo Nix news to military members visiting the team’s practice.

After practice on Wednesday, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton announced that Bo Nix has been named the team’s new starting quarterback.

Before making that announcement to media members attending practice, Payton first broke the news to military members visiting Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit.

When Payton spoke with the media Wednesday, he had told his decision to his three quarterbacks, but not to the entire team.

“[O]ne of my goals in the offseason was to improve relationships with the local media, and I wanted you guys to hear it first,” Payton joked. “Now, the 50 military [members] heard it before you. I honestly appreciate that process because it’s difficult. We’re all pressed for information, and we truly wanted to let the thing play itself out.”

Payton and the Broncos hosted 50 military members as part of USAA’s Salute to Service Boot Camp at the team’s facility. The military members watched practice, received autographs from players and competed in NFL combine-style drills. Then Payton delivered some breaking news.

“It was kind of nice to see them have the access that they did,” Payton said. “We appreciate them being here.”

USAA is the “Official Salute to Service Partner of the Denver Broncos.” They have hosted a boot camp for military members based in the Denver area at the Broncos’ practice facility in each of the last ten years.

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Will Anderson’s off-field commitment shines during USAA’s “Huddle Up for Hurricane Prep”

In a partnership with USAA, Houston Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. is helping out with Hurricane Season.

Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. will be the first to admit that discussing hurricane season can be an uncharted territory of conversation. 

“Being from Georgia, I didn’t know anything about hurricanes like that because we don’t really experience them, but seeing that they’re taking matters like this to spread awareness to help the community, to help them prepare the right way to help them come up with the plan, it’s really special,” Anderson told Texans Wire in an exclusive interview earlier this month.

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The NFL’s reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year partnered with USAA and their ‘Huddle up for Hurricane Prep’ initiative to raise awareness around preparing for hurricane season in Houston.

It was an issue that instantly caught his attention after being drafted third overall out of the University of Alabama.

“It’s really the last couple of months, honestly,” Anderson said of the partnership with USAA. “Like I said, just been to see different things that happen in the state and be able to say, OK, there’s something I want to be a part of. There’s something that I think will help benefit people. That’s what I really want to do.

“I got to meet some amazing leaders of this, you know, this beautiful country, the local Coast Guard, of course, Harris County Office of Emergency and Management. To be able to be here and be able to help give back to our community, it’s really a blessing.”

Anderson, who has retired family members who served in the military, considered it an “incredible opportunity” to work with the NFL’s Official Salute to Service Partner as they were able to offer wide-ranging advice on how to prepare for the hurricane season from pets to insurance coverage.

“We just want to take the right precautions to make sure everybody prepares the right way,” he said. “They have a plan, going to the grocery store, making sure that you have a first-aid kit if anything happens because the weather can change at any moment and also make sure that we’re not leaving any pets behind, making sure you have great insurance and everything like that.”

Since arriving in Houston, Anderson has made it a mission to be impactful in the community as much as he is on the field. He’s not the only Texans rookie willing to give back to the city that selected him, either.

Last month, quarterback C.J. Stroud was seen helping clean up around the community following a massive storm that left nearly a million Houstonians without power.

 

Houston expected Anderson to be a home run hit when it moved up every aspect when they traded up nine spots last April.

It’s hard to argue that he’s delivered anything less as the rookie emerges as one of the NFL’s premier edge rushers and one of the Houston community’s faces.

Texans Wire Exclusive: Will Anderson reveals favorite sack, best games of 2023 season

In an exclusive interview with Texans Wire, Will Anderson Jr. reveals some of his highlights in the 2023 season.

It was a season to remember for Will Anderson Jr.

Pro Bowl nod? Check.

Defensive Rookie of the Year award? Check.

A rookie record that surpasses three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt’s first season? Yep, cross that off, too.

Essentially, Anderson was everything that the Houston Texans envisioned when they selected him out of Alabama with the third overall pick last April.

That doesn’t mean he is a finished product. In fact, Anderson would say he’s just getting started.

The second-year defensive end has been working with Pro Bowl teammate Laremy Tunsil and aggressively studying his film from last season to work to improve on his production.

Throughout studying, his weak points have been revealed. He’s also seen glimpses of the player of the upside in he hopes to consistently be in the NFL.

Of course, there were highlights throughout the 2023 season, including seven sacks. Which one was Anderson’s favorite?

“I would have to say my first sack against Lamar,” Anderson said in an exclusive interview with Texans Wire last week.

Let’s review Anderson’s first ‘Welcome to the NFL’ moment. Lined up on the right side working against Morgan Moses, Anderson showed an absurd bend to stay upright and come back to finish the play on the eventual 2023 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.

That was an early sign of Anderson’s coming pass-rush prowess at the professional level but the former Alabama star was quick to note that he can’t be defined by just one play.

“I like to attack the game in all aspects of everything, run, pass, everything,” Anderson said.

His attitude is one reason why Anderson nationally is already considered one of the league’s better run-stopping defensive ends. He also was quick to point out games where he felt comfortable working as a pass rusher.

“The Broncos [game], [I] thought all those players were really great,” Anderson said. “From a run standpoint, I would just say the Cardinals game, that’s what I want my game to be every game, something like that. So those are the plays for me that I feel like that’s who I am. I want to be able to attack the game from pass and run, and to be able to be effective in both of those.”

 

Anderson’s performance against Denver was among his best as a rookie. He posted two sacks, four quarterback hits and a batted pass while terrorizing quarterback Russell Wilson in a 22-17 win.

Against Arizona, he notched two tackles for loss while also frequenting the backfield with a sack against Kyler Murray.

Anderson, who enters his second season as one of the Texans’ captains, recognizes the greatness that happened in Year 1. This offseason, he’s putting in the requisite and studying the tape to live up to the Year 2 hype.

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This past weekend, Anderson partnered with USAA and their “Huddle Up for Hurricane Prep” initiative to raise awareness and educate the public on how to prepare, react and recover from Hurricanes.

He met with emergency responders from the U.S. Coast Guard as part of an important subject where Texas ranks in the Top 10 most hurricane-prone states.

Texans Wire Exclusive: Will Anderson details offseason studying entering Year 2

Will Anderson Jr. believes after working with Laremy Tunsil this offseason, he’s more prepared as a pass rusher.

Iron sharpens iron.

The bible verse from Proverbs was an important catchphrase to the Houston Texans’ 2023 offseason during their first training camp under head coach DeMeco Ryans. It’s also a popular phrase to describe one’s plight to improve.

Entering his second season, defensive end Will Anderson Jr. is taking that to heart.

Whether that’s with reigning NFL Defensive MVP Myles Garrett or his new teammate Danielle Hunter, Houston’s young franchise pass rusher is looking at every avenue to improve.

“I’ve got to really just focus on myself,” Anderson told Texans Wire of his offseason. “It was a great break because, you know, in college, you just non-stop, you’re going spring football, do this. So this was a nice break to really just have a great balance between working out and having a great balance between resting and that.”

For the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, this version of spring is new. It’s one without the requirements of a student-athlete or the rigorous preparation that goes through the daily process leading up to the NFL draft.

Since being selected third overall last April, Anderson has lived up to the hype Houston fans envisioned. He finished his rookie season with 45 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks while anchoring the edge for one of the NFL’s better run defenses.

Months later, the Pro Bowler can finally rest but he acknowledges there was work to be done and major room to improve entering Year 2.

During last year’s exit interview, the coaching staff tasked Anderson to work on his separation. It’s pivotal for defensive ends to make sure they don’t become trapped by opposing offensive tackles and spacing ensures they can use their hands and their full arsenal of pass rush moves.

Anderson was honest when asked if there was one specific moment where he saw improvements. There wasn’t. Every game he was able to point out a flaw in need of refinement.

“I think I caught myself a lot at the top of the rush being too connected and tackles being too, like, chest to chest with them and not getting that extension,” Anderson said. “So, I really just see mostly all my games that I want to do a better job of, you know, keeping that separation so they don’t get hands-on me a lot and I can be able to keep working my hands.”

How does a player of Anderson’s caliber go about improving on a stellar campaign?

Changes to his diet and exercise regimen were given. Young players will almost always gain an edge on the field from a full offseason of working with an NFL training staff and a professional-caliber nutritionist.

It goes beyond the physical aspect to become truly elite for players of Anderson’s caliber.

The former All-American acknowledged that his study habits have changed entering Year 2. Rather than focus on opposing tackles, he’s started to self-study his rushing moves, even going so far as to partner with teammate and Pro Bowl offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil to better his approach.

“I’m looking at my step, I look at my hand placement because talking with LT (Laremy Tunsil), which has been great, another great guy, he always says ‘You know Will, these are a couple of things that I see from you.’ So now I went back and watched like,  ‘OK, I might have to change up my stance right here, I have to change up my angle right here, ‘ ” Anderson said. “He was telling me, ‘I know when you get in this stance when you get in this angle, what you are going to do.’ ”

Considered one of the best pass-blocking tackles in the NFL, Tunsil has been the ideal teammate for Anderson to team up with. He’s made the Pro Bowl four times since being traded to Houston in 2019, including back-to-back seasons in 2022-23.

“Those are the things now like when I’m watching practice or I’m watching the film I’m looking at my steps, I’m looking at my angles, I’m looking at my departure,” Anderson said of his approach. “How did I get off this block? How did this move work? Why didn’t this move work? What did this tackle do so that move didn’t work? What did the tackle do so that move did work? So those are the things that I’m changing about my game that I want to focus in more that I’ve been spending a lot of time on this offseason.”

Given his talent and effectiveness from last season, the transformation should do wonders for Anderson. If it translates to gamedays, Anderson could reach  Hunter’s caliber in the pass-rushing department by the season’s end.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C77DlW4AdPm/?igsh=MXB0eTNlZjQ2dG44Ng%3D%3D&img_index=1

This past weekend, Anderson partnered with USAA and their “Huddle Up for Hurricane Prep” initiative to raise awareness and educate the public on how to prepare, react and recover from Hurricanes.

He met with emergency responders from the U.S. Coast Guard as part of an important subject where Texas ranks in the Top 10 most hurricane-prone states.

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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