Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones is well-known around the NFL as one of the kindest and community-oriented players in the league. While he did not get the nod this year, he has become an annual nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award (De’Vondre Campbell received the Packers’ nomination this year).
Jones’ foundation, the A & A Foundation, which he started with his brother, Alvin, helps at-risk youth, provides services for cancer patients, and provides aid to other foundations whose mission is to help unemployed military veterans get jobs.
While he was not named a finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award this season, Jones was recently announced as one of three finalists for the NFL’s Salute to Service Award.
Green Bay Packers Running Back Aaron Jones Is a Finalist for the NFL Salute to Service Award
According to the NFL’s press release regarding the Salute to Service Award:
“The Salute to Service Award is part of USAA and the NFL’s year-round commitment to honor, empower, and connect with our nation’s service members, veterans, and their families. The 32 nominees from each NFL team were announced in November and consisted of active and retired players, coaches, and team executives and personnel who best demonstrated support for the military community.
“The Salute to Service Award recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally on the CBS Television Network and NFL Network, and stream on Paramount+ and NFL+ on Thursday, Feb. 8 at the Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas.
“In looking at this season’s finalists for the Salute to Service Award presented by USAA, we have two players whose families have served as well as a player who currently serves our country, and each of them has made it their personal mission to give back by supporting our military community during their time in the NFL,” said Major General (Ret.) Bob Whittle, USAA Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff. “USAA salutes George, Aaron, and Joe for going the extra mile to honor our military, veterans and their families, and we encourage all Americans to follow their lead.”
“Each nominee displays the qualities of sacrifice, service and integrity which serves as the cornerstone of this award”, said Chad Hennings Air Force Academy graduate, three-time Super Bowl champion and Salute to Service Award panelist. “Aaron Jones, George Kittle and Joe Cardona should be proud of this accomplishment as they each exemplify what it means to serve their countries, their organizations and the community.”
Of Aaron Jones, the press release stated:
“Aaron Jones, who grew up with both of his parents serving in the U.S. Army, knows firsthand the sacrifices involved with serving, and he has made giving back to active-duty and veterans, a special focus of his community involvement. Jones is a big part of the Packers’ Salute to Service efforts, serving as a spokesperson for the initiative and taking part in every opportunity to honor veterans. Last November, he spent time promoting Patriot K9s of Wisconsin, a nonprofit devoted to connecting veterans with trained service dogs.
“In the last several years, Jones has sent videos to veterans, spoken with youth at military academies and taken part in events like the team’s Huddle for Heroes aimed at honoring veterans. He’s visited service members in the hospital and visited military bases, including Fort Bliss in his native town of El Paso, Texas. Jones’ A&A All the Way Foundation, which he founded with his twin brother, Alvin, also demonstrates his dedication to military members, helping those in need with a special focus on honoring and empowering military families.
“They provide special, joy-filled 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.”
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona are the other nominees.
USAA will donate $25,000 in the winner’s honor to official aid societies. The NFL will match the donation amount to the winner’s military veteran charity of choice.
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