Latest news with #MyCauseMyCleats
CBS News
05-02-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
49ers star tight end George Kittle named NFL's 2024 Salute to Service award winner
San Francisco 49ers two-time All-Pro tight end George Kittle is the USAA 2024 Salute to Service award winner. Kittle beat out Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones and Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox for the award. The award recognizes the "exceptional efforts by members of the NFL family to honor and support the military community." Kittle will be recognized at NFL Honors on Thursday night. Kittle hosts military and frontline heroes at every 49ers game, donating more than 400 tickets in the last six years. Kittle and his family amplify community stories, nearly 60 of those involving veterans, through the Hidden Pearls Podcast founded in 2020. Kittle and his family created an app offering free mental health resources to veterans, including the meditative practices he uses while playing. Kittle also has donated more than $250,000 to military nonprofits and further highlighted military organizations through My Cause My Cleats, including the Pat Tillman Foundation, TAPS, Merging Vets and Players, Operation Freedom Paws and Operation Surf. "George Kittle truly embodies the essence of the Salute to Service Award," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "His dedication to honoring service members and involvement with numerous military organizations makes him the perfect choice for this honor. The NFL family is proud of his dedication to give back to those who sacrifice for our country and congratulates him on this tremendous achievement." USAA, a provider of insurance, banking and other financial services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families, will contribute $25,000 in Kittle's honor to the official aid societies representing each of the military branches. The NFL Foundation will match USAA's donation of $25,000, which will be donated to Kittle's military charity of choice. Kittle's uncle and grandfather served in the military. "I am incredibly thankful and honored to be this year's Salute to Service Award recipient," Kittle said. "My appreciation for the military stems from watching my Uncle Pat serve multiple tours with the National Guard and seeing firsthand how much it impacted him and his family while he was overseas. Without my family and their unwavering support, I would not be able to create these genuine and authentic relationships with the real heroes and the ones who should be receiving this award, the active-duty members, veterans, TAPS and families that have lost loved ones in the line of fire. "The support you see for the military around the league is so important and the fact that guys on every team do it, not just the nominees, is awesome. We are allowed to live the lives we live here because of the sacrifices they make, so we're just trying to honor them, show our support, and share as much love as we can."
Fox News
05-02-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
George Kittle recipient of NFL's Salute to Service Award amid $250K in donations to military nonprofits
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has been named the recipient of the NFL's Salute to Service Award. The award was first given out in 2012 as part of the NFL's and USAA's commitment to recognize and honor the military and veteran community. Kittle hosts military members for every Niners home game, donating over 400 tickets over the last six seasons. He and his family created an app to offer free mental health services for veterans. Kittle has also donated over $250,000 to military nonprofits and further highlighted military organizations through My Cause My Cleats. "I am incredibly thankful and honored to be this year's Salute to Service Award recipient. This is my fourth time being nominated by the 49ers, which is an absolute honor because it's important to me to show gratitude and support to the military," Kittle said in a statement. "My appreciation for the military stems from watching my Uncle Pat serve multiple tours with the National Guard and seeing firsthand how much it impacted him and his family while he was overseas. "Without my family and their unwavering support, I would not be able to create these genuine and authentic relationships with the real heroes and the ones who should be receiving this award, the active-duty members, Veterans, TAPS and families that have lost loved ones in the line of fire. The support you see for the military around the league is so important and the fact that guys on every team do it, not just the nominees, is awesome. We are allowed to live the lives we live here because of the sacrifices they make, so we're just trying to honor them, show our support, and share as much love as we can." Kittle was one of the three finalists, besting Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones and Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox. Jones grew up in a military household; his father, Alvin, served 29 years in the Army, while his mother, Vurgess, served for 27. Jones' older brother, Xavier, serves in the Air Force. Jones and his twin brother Alvin Jr., founded the A&A All the Way Foundation in 2020 to support the youth of military families. Fox also grew up in a military community and donated 100 tickets to veterans. He has hosted members of the Wounded Warrior Project at Chargers practices. Kittle will be recognized at the NFL Honors on Thursday, where the MVP, Offensive and Defensive Players and Rookies, and Coach of the Year will also be crowned. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Fox Sports
05-02-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
49ers star tight end George Kittle is the NFL 2024 Salute to Service award winner
Associated Press NEW ORLEANS (AP) — San Francisco 49ers two-time All-Pro tight end George Kittle is the USAA 2024 Salute to Service award winner. Kittle beat out Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones and Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox for the award. The award recognizes the 'exceptional efforts by members of the NFL family to honor and support the military community.' Kittle will be recognized at NFL Honors on Thursday night. Kittle hosts military and frontline heroes at every 49ers game, donating more than 400 tickets in the last six years. Kittle and his family amplify community stories, nearly 60 of those involving veterans, through the Hidden Pearls Podcast founded in 2020. Kittle and his family created an app offering free mental health resources to veterans, including the meditative practices he uses while playing. Kittle also has donated more than $250,000 to military nonprofits and further highlighted military organizations through My Cause My Cleats, including the Pat Tillman Foundation, TAPS, Merging Vets and Players, Operation Freedom Paws and Operation Surf. 'George Kittle truly embodies the essence of the Salute to Service Award,' NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. 'His dedication to honoring service members and involvement with numerous military organizations makes him the perfect choice for this honor. The NFL family is proud of his dedication to give back to those who sacrifice for our country and congratulates him on this tremendous achievement.' USAA, a provider of insurance, banking and other financial services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families, will contribute $25,000 in Kittle's honor to the official aid societies representing each of the military branches. The NFL Foundation will match USAA's donation of $25,000, which will be donated to Kittle's military charity of choice. Kittle's uncle and grandfather served in the military. 'I am incredibly thankful and honored to be this year's Salute to Service Award recipient,' Kittle said. 'My appreciation for the military stems from watching my Uncle Pat serve multiple tours with the National Guard and seeing firsthand how much it impacted him and his family while he was overseas. Without my family and their unwavering support, I would not be able to create these genuine and authentic relationships with the real heroes and the ones who should be receiving this award, the active-duty members, veterans, TAPS and families that have lost loved ones in the line of fire. "The support you see for the military around the league is so important and the fact that guys on every team do it, not just the nominees, is awesome. We are allowed to live the lives we live here because of the sacrifices they make, so we're just trying to honor them, show our support, and share as much love as we can.' ___ AP NFL: recommended
Associated Press
05-02-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
49ers star tight end George Kittle is the NFL 2024 Salute to Service award winner
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — San Francisco 49ers two-time All-Pro tight end George Kittle is the USAA 2024 Salute to Service award winner. Kittle beat out Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones and Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox for the award. The award recognizes the 'exceptional efforts by members of the NFL family to honor and support the military community.' Kittle will be recognized at NFL Honors on Thursday night. Kittle hosts military and frontline heroes at every 49ers game, donating more than 400 tickets in the last six years. Kittle and his family amplify community stories, nearly 60 of those involving veterans, through the Hidden Pearls Podcast founded in 2020. Kittle and his family created an app offering free mental health resources to veterans, including the meditative practices he uses while playing. Kittle also has donated more than $250,000 to military nonprofits and further highlighted military organizations through My Cause My Cleats, including the Pat Tillman Foundation, TAPS, Merging Vets and Players, Operation Freedom Paws and Operation Surf. 'George Kittle truly embodies the essence of the Salute to Service Award,' NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. 'His dedication to honoring service members and involvement with numerous military organizations makes him the perfect choice for this honor. The NFL family is proud of his dedication to give back to those who sacrifice for our country and congratulates him on this tremendous achievement.' USAA, a provider of insurance, banking and other financial services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families, will contribute $25,000 in Kittle's honor to the official aid societies representing each of the military branches. The NFL Foundation will match USAA's donation of $25,000, which will be donated to Kittle's military charity of choice. Kittle's uncle and grandfather served in the military. 'I am incredibly thankful and honored to be this year's Salute to Service Award recipient,' Kittle said. 'My appreciation for the military stems from watching my Uncle Pat serve multiple tours with the National Guard and seeing firsthand how much it impacted him and his family while he was overseas. Without my family and their unwavering support, I would not be able to create these genuine and authentic relationships with the real heroes and the ones who should be receiving this award, the active-duty members, veterans, TAPS and families that have lost loved ones in the line of fire. 'The support you see for the military around the league is so important and the fact that guys on every team do it, not just the nominees, is awesome. We are allowed to live the lives we live here because of the sacrifices they make, so we're just trying to honor them, show our support, and share as much love as we can.'
Fox News
28-01-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Ravens fans return kind gesture, donate thousands to Dalton Kincaid charity after crucial drop in Bills' loss
Buffalo Bills fans rallied around Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews after his critical drop during the AFC divisional round ended the team's hopes of reaching the Super Bowl. Now Baltimore fans are returning that support. Last week, a GoFundMe campaign was created to support Andrews' charity, Breakthrough T1D, which is aimed at supporting children with diabetes. The campaign raised over $140,000 through more than 4,000 donations. Bills fans donated to the cause and shared messages on the campaign voicing their support for Andrews. "Donated from Bills Mafia, we've been there. Keep your head up, you're an amazing player and you caught so many to get your team to get close in this game. Move on and continue to do all your good works," one message of support read. But after the Bills' loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game, Buffalo tight end Dalton Kincaid found himself in a similar situation. On fourth down with the Bills trailing by three late in the fourth quarter, Josh Allen, who was under pressure by the Chiefs defense, threw a pass into the air. Kincaid was right there, but the pass fell through his hands, effectively ending Buffalo's playoff run. Likely facing similar criticism, Ravens fans saw the opportunity to return the favor. "As many of you know, Bills TE Dalton Kincaid made a phenomenal attempt to catch Josh Allens last pass of the season but couldn't haul it in, upsetting a lot of Bills fans," a GoFundMe campaign created this week read. "We want Ravens flock to donate to Summit Center for autism, the charity Dalton works with and try and return the favor Bills mafia did for us and Mark Andrews. Let's raise what we can, please repost!" As of Tuesday, more than 400 donations have been made totaling over $13,000. Kincaid has supported the Summit Center before through the NFL's "My Cause My Cleats" initiative this past season. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
