Tag: USAA

Gallery: Broncos host military members for boot camp

The Broncos hosted military members and their families for a boot camp earlier this week.

As part of an NFL-wide appreciation for the men and women who serve in the military and their loved ones, the Denver Broncos put on their ninth annual “Salute to Service” boot camp on Tuesday. Fifty military members watched the team practice, received signatures from players and participated in various events reminiscent of the NFL combine.

The Broncos have a storied history with the military, and the NFL’s Salute to Service initiative. In 2022, Broncos tight end Andrew Beck was the recipient of the Salute to Service Award, given annually to an individual who goes above and beyond in their commitment to the branches of the military.

See photos from the boot camp below, courtesy of USAA.

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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Broncos safety Justin Simmons raises awareness for wildfire prevention

Broncos safety Justin Simmons hosted a “Prevent Defense” campaign with USAA this week to help raise awareness about wildfire prevention.

Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons teamed up with USAA and joined firefighters from the Denver Fire Department and invited military guests from the Denver area for a “Prevent Defense” campaign to help raise awareness about wildfires earlier this week.

Colorado is a leading state in wildfires each year and most of them are caused by humans. Simmons joined USSA at the Denver Fire Department 39 on Tuesday to spread awareness, offer tips and educate the public on wildfire prevention.

The Broncos have a close working relationship with USAA, the NFL’s “Salute to Service” partner. Last year, Denver hosted over 50 military guests and their family members for a Salute for Service boot camp at the Broncos’ facility.

Photos from Tuesday’s “Prevent Defense” event can be seen below.

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco discusses hometown support, mindset for 2023 season

#Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is thriving off his hometown support this offseason and looking to make 2023 his best season yet. | from @EdEastonJr

The NFL draft in Kansas City officially made the Chiefs the host team and put its players front and center for the weekend. Isiah Pacheco last year was selected in the final round of the draft and quickly became the top running back on the team’s depth chart.

Pacheco recently teamed with franchise legend Derrick Johnson to speak with local military from Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leavenworth at Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que hosted by USAA. The event was part of NFL draft weekend in Kansas City, highlighting the community and the franchise’s newest star.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. recently sat down with Pacheco to discuss his support from his New Jersey hometown, his mindset for next season, and his touchdown dance.

“Everything that you hope and you wish to have for me,” said Pacheco, “I’m very blessed and thankful to have the whole of New Jersey (rooting) for me because knowing that we just played against the Philadelphia Eagles. So, I was growing up as a Philadelphia Eagles fan (and) I had to put my pride aside and lock in on my job to understand why and who was behind me. I didn’t want to come back to New Jersey, not winning championships to hear the Eagles fans.”

Pacheco has been praised constantly by his alma mater Rutgers and the state of New Jersey. He was honored with a parade recently and continues to be acknowledged by the Scarlett Knights community, all while getting ready for his sophomore NFL season.

“That mindset heading into year two is to get as healthy as I can to be able to compete the whole season,” said Pacheco. “To allow me to give myself a chance to be able to play at my highest performance.”

Pacheco became the full-time starting running back in Week 7 and hasn’t looked back, garnering a following of Chiefs fans who have embraced his celebratory touchdown dances along the way. He wasn’t shy to proclaim himself the best end zone dancer compared to his All-Pro teammate Travis Kelce.

“I gotta go with me. I’m gonna tell Trav (Travis Kelce), too, when I see him. I gotta go with me,” said Pacheco. “He might have gotten me on the stanky leg, but with all the jersey club, he don’t know how to jersey club. I’m gonna go with me.”

The Chiefs hope to see more touchdown dancing from Pacheco and his teammates in 2023 as they attempt to repeat as champions.

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Chiefs RB Pacheco still has chip on shoulder after seventh round draft selection

Speaking to @EdEastonJr in partnership with @USAA, #Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco says he’ll always have a chip on his shoulder as a seventh-round draft pick.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco made an immediate impact in his first NFL season, becoming the team’s starter. The Rutgers Scarlet Knight brought tough running and productive late-game moments to contribute to the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII victory.

Pacheco recently teamed up with USAA to appear in its NFL Draft Salute to Service special event for an exclusive chalk talk with military members, veterans, and their families. Chiefs legend and all-time leading tackler Derrick Johnson joined Pacheco as they spoke with local military from Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leavenworth at Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. recently sat down with Pacheco to talk about his work with the USAA and how last year’s NFL draft has influenced him as a pro player.

“I’m glad me and Derrick Johnson are teaming up today to speak to the veterans that served his country,” said Pacheco. “I want to thank them for their service. Because without doing what they did, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do today.”

The conversation included stories about their unique draft day memories and connecting with the military members. Johnson’s experience growing up as the son of a Vietnam War veteran was also discussed, while Pacheco shared exclusively with Chiefs Wire some information about his draft day a year ago.

“It was a big day for me one year ago, at the same moment because all my family and friends, my grandparents and my teachers, were all waiting on that one moment to hear my name get called,” Pacheco said. “What made it even better it was towards the end. It sounds bad, but it sounds pretty. Pretty cool at the end (at pick No. 251) and then you know the story.”

Pacheco was selected in the seventh round but immediately became an impact player for the Chiefs. He turned heads around the league and used his late draft selection as fuel from that day on.

“Yes, sir. I use that as fuel. Going in the seventh round, (I’ll) always have a chip on my shoulder. Why? So late or why? You know, the position I was in, but I didn’t question it,” said Pacheco. “You know, I just kept my head down, and I blocked out the negative energy and stuck to the script and stayed on task, and that was finding the edge to compete against the older guys and picking their brain, so they could teach me the business side of the program.”

The Chiefs found a diamond in the rough in Pacheco, who continues to improve with every game. A year ago, the team found a way to get better with a player that is constantly focused on improvement.

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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 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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Ravens TE Mark Andrews sends military veteran to Super Bowl LVII

Ravens tight end Mark Andrews will send a military veteran to Super Bowl LVII

The Super Bowl is just a few weeks away, and Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is making one military veteran’s dreams come true.  Andrews teamed up with USAA, the official NFL Salute to Service Partner to award a military veteran a trip to the Super Bowl.

Andrews talks about being honored to be join USAA for this occasion.  “Coming from a family that counts seven military service members in its ranks, I understand that it’s important to always give back to the military community,” said Mark Andrews. “I’m honored to join USAA and the 101st Airborne Division Association to send Army veteran Johnny Velasquez to the Super Bowl, where I look forward to meeting him.”

Andrews is great on the field, but even better off of it with his community initiatives. To be able to be part of this wonderful program with USAA he’s making a difference is peoples lives, and his generosity can’t be overstated.

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Broncos host local military in Salute for Service boot camp

The Broncos hosted military members to watch practice and participate in their annual USAA Salute to Service boot camp on Thursday.

The Denver Broncos extended a warm welcome to over 50 military guests and their family members to the team’s UCHealth Training Center on Thursday.

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These special guests took in the Broncos’ practice in preparation for Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. After practice, several Denver players stayed to sign autographs and speak with the military members, including quarterback Russell Wilson, wide receiver Kendall Hinton and offensive tackle Garett Bolles, among others.

After practice, USAA and the Broncos partnered to put on its annual Salute to Service boot camp, where the military personnel were greeted by Denver legend Rod Smith and several local and national USAA representatives.

Former Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith speaks to military members and their families

After a rousing introduction, all in attendance participated in drills similar to those run at the NFL combine. Drills included a long throw contest, the shuttle, a 40-yard dash and the long jump.

“It was really good having the opportunity to come here, to practice how the NFL [does],” said Army participant Gideon Adomah. “My best was the 40 yard dash. I ran a 4.80-something. That was kind of slow for me. I was expecting something better, like a 4.1.”

Adomah, originally from Ghana, said that this was his first exposure to the NFL in his life. “It was my first time throwing a football, so I learned something today,” he said.

According to Dave Morrisey, senior relationship advisor to the United States Air Force Academy for USAA, there were personnel from several bases in Colorado, including Fort Carson, Schriever Space Force Base, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base and Peterson Air Force Base.

“[My highlight of the day] was definitely the players appreciating us. It’s great to get support that is unseen sometimes,” said Nick Nelson, staff sergeant in the United States Air Force.  “It is support we don’t see often, you know, everyday when we go to work. [For the players], it shows what they’re playing for. They go and put it all on the line, just like we do.”

Broncos legend Rod Smith watches as military members participate in the 40-yard dash.
A military member participates in the long throw contest during USAA’s Salute to Service boot camp

Broncos safety Justin Simmons talks 2022 expectations, QB Russell Wilson

Justin Simmons said the Broncos are focused on “finding a way to get the Super Bowl trophy back to Denver.”

The Denver Broncos have a (pending) new ownership group, a new coaching staff and a new star quarterback going into the summer.

That new trio has fans excited about the future outlook of the team and, more immediately, excited about the 2022 season. The players are excited, too, with safety Justin Simmons telling Broncos Wire there’s a “new energy” in the team’s building.

“The feeling in the locker room is great,” Simmons said in a recent interview with Broncos Wire promoting USAA. “There’s new energy, there’s high expectations and we know we’re a playoff-caliber team, but more importantly our eyes are set on winning the [AFC] West and getting to the playoffs and finding a way to get the Super Bowl trophy back to Denver.”

Simmons’ bold comments echo those of quarterback Russell Wilson, who set big expectations when he joined the team in March. Simmons also said that fans should believe the hopeful feeling.

Speaking of Wilson, Simmons also sung the praises of Denver’s biggest offseason acquisition since Peyton Manning.

“Russ has fit in great,” Simmons said. “He didn’t really have to do much [to fit in]; he has the respect of his peers all around the league. He came in, he was himself, instantly made our team better. I think his leadership, the way that he leads the locker room, the way that he leads off the field, the way he leads on the field is super impactful on the team.”

When asked about what Denver’s fan base should be excited about in 2022, without hesitation, Simmons said, “Winning football. That’s what Broncos Country should be excited about — getting back to Broncos football, which is winning and winning in the postseason.”

With both the offensive (Wilson) and defensive captains in lockstep with each other, fans are eagerly anticipating the 2022 season and beyond.

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