Green Bay Packers' running back Aaron Jones finalist for NFL's Salute to Service Award
Richard RymanGREEN BAY ‒ Green Bay Packers' running back Aaron Jones is a finalist for the NFL's Salute to Service Award.
The award honors a league member who demonstrates an exemplary commitment to honoring and supporting the military community. The other finalists are George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers and Joe Cardona of the New England Patriots. The winner will be announced Feb. 8 at the NFL Honors event in Las Vegas, three days before Super Bowl LVIII.
Jones is a spokesperson for the Salute to Service initiative and looks for opportunities to honor veterans. He promoted Patriot K9s of Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization devoted to connecting veterans with trained service dogs. He sent videos to veterans, talked with youth at military academies and took part in events such as the team's Huddle for Heroes, aimed at honoring veterans. He visited service members in hospitals and visited military bases, including Fort Bliss in his hometown of El Paso, Texas.
Jones' A&A All the Way Foundation, which he founded with his twin brother, Alvin, helps those in need with special focus on honoring and empowering military families. They provide special experiences to children who have parents serving in the military, honoring the sacrifice these families make. The foundation's annual gala also raises money for military families, aimed at connecting them with the resources and care they need.
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USAA, an insurance and financial services company which sponsors the award, will contribute $25,000 in the award recipient's honor to the official aid societies representing each of the military branches.
Jones, whose parents were both career military members, was nominated for the Walter Payton award in 2021 and 2022. De'Vondre Campbell is the Packers' nominee for the Walter Payton award this year.
Also, Packers' fan Tom Grossi of New York is the team's nominee for NFL Fan of the Year, which also will be announced during the NFL Honors event.
Contact Richard Ryman at rryman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @RichRymanPG, on Instagram at @rrymanPG or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardRymanPG/.
