Every team nominates one player, coach or staff member each year for the Salute to Service Award, which is given to the person who best demonstrates support for the military community.
Last year, the Rams nominated Cooper Kupp for the award and this season, they selected Matthew Stafford as their nominee. Stafford is one of 32 nominees, with the winner being recognized at the NFL Honors show in February.
The winner will receive a $25,000 donation in their honor from USAA to “official aid societies representing all U.S. military branches,” as well as a $25,000 donation from the NFL to the winner’s choice of charity.
The Rams’ Salute to Service game will be on Nov. 11 and for that contest against the Dolphins, Stafford will host a group of young individuals who are enlisting in the military, as well as a group of Navy SEALs.
Here is more on Stafford’s support of the military from the official news release:
Since joining the Rams, Matthew has supported American Red Cross’ Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign and was featured on a holiday card that read, “From the players on the football field to the heroes protecting our country and freedoms. Thank you for your service.” The Rams, including Matthew’s wife, Kelly, visited local schools to engage kids in writing holiday messages of thanks for those serving our country. The cards were then collected and mailed to military members serving domestically and overseas as well as veterans living the United States.
Fans can vote for a winner from now until Nov. 30 at NFL.com/SaluteFanVote.
