Veterans Day lands in the middle of the NFL’s Salute to Service season, and fans can help pick this year’s award finalists. All 32 teams named a nominee for the 2026 Salute to Service Award last Thursday, and fan voting runs through the end of November.
Here is how the award works, how to vote and a look at some of the nominees.
How to vote for the Salute to Service Award
Fans can vote at NFL.com/SaluteFanVote through Monday, Nov. 30, at 11:59 p.m. ET, according to the Patriots’ announcement.
The fan vote decides the three finalists, who will be named in January, the Packers noted. The winner will be honored at NFL Honors during Super Bowl LXI week in Los Angeles, per WTAJ.
The award, presented by USAA, is in its 16th year. It recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni who support service members, veterans and their families, according to the Cowboys.
The money matters too. USAA will donate $25,000 in the winner’s name to official aid societies for all U.S. military branches, and the NFL Foundation will add $25,000 for the winner’s military charity of choice, Yahoo Sports reported.
Nominees to know
Rachel Washburn, Eagles. A former Army captain, Washburn served six years on active duty as an intelligence officer and deployed twice to Afghanistan, according to the Eagles. She is also a former Eagles cheerleader and now helps veterans find jobs after active duty. The team said she is the only female veteran among this year’s nominees.
Jon Kolb, Steelers. The former Pittsburgh offensive lineman is an Army National Guard veteran. He founded Adventures in Training with a Purpose, a nonprofit that offers free physical training to help service members, veterans and first responders regain movement, Yahoo Sports reported.
Jake Ferguson, Cowboys. Dallas nominated its tight end again. Ferguson has partnered with Black Rifle Coffee on a Veterans Day campaign to wipe out veterans’ medical debt and has given his own money to the cause, the Cowboys said.
Brant Boyer, 49ers. San Francisco’s special teams coordinator was raised by a grandfather who survived the Battle of Iwo Jima as a Marine, Yardbarker reported. Boyer has represented Veterans Care Charity through the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats program.
Reggie Gilliam, Patriots. The New England fullback made a Veterans Day visit to the Buffalo VA Medical Center last season, the Patriots said.
Lukas Van Ness, Packers. The edge rusher met with local veterans at a “Huddle for Heroes” event as a rookie and is the Packers’ 2026 Salute to Service spokesperson, according to Packers.com.
Nominees in action this weekend
Several nominees play in key Week 10 games:
- Van Ness and the Packers host the Vikings in Kirk Cousins’ return. Read our Vikings vs. Packers preview.
- Gilliam and the Patriots face the Lions in Munich. See our Patriots vs. Lions preview.
- Ferguson and the 4-5 Cowboys beat the Colts 27-23 earlier this season. Here is our Cowboys-Colts recap.
For every Week 10 kickoff time and channel, check our Week 10 schedule and TV guide. For where all 32 teams stand, read our NFL midseason report.
Sources: Patriots.com, Packers.com, DallasCowboys.com, PhiladelphiaEagles.com, Yahoo Sports, WTAJ, Yardbarker
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