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The award recognizes the “exceptional efforts by members of the
NFL family to honor and support the military community.”
McCaffrey will be recognized at NFL Honors on Thursday night.
The Christian McCaffrey Foundation launched an initiative, 23
and Troops, in 2021, that offers a medically based, holistic
approach to support Special Operations forces veterans healing
from post‑traumatic stress. The program has contributed nearly
$700,000 to military support efforts, including $250,000 to
REBOOT Recovery and a recent $250,000 partnership with
Resilience Code to provide veterans with a full year of
personalized medical care. The foundation has also eased
seasonal burdens by covering holiday layaway balances for 515
military families.
McCaffrey also regularly connects with active-duty personnel,
veterans, and families.
“It means the world,” McCaffrey told The Associated Press. “I
think serving our troops is something that I don't take lightly.
There's always work to be done. To be presented the Salute to
Service Award is a huge deal.”
USAA, a provider of insurance, banking and other financial
services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families,
will contribute $25,000 in McCaffrey’s name 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 McCaffrey's military charity of choice.
This is the second straight year a 49ers player won the award,
with tight end George Kittle winning last year.
“For George to be able to pass the torch down to me means a
lot,” McCaffrey said. “We have such an affinity for our veterans
and active-duty members. It’s obviously the service that they do
and the sacrifices that they put in. It's a lot of unseen
sacrifices they put in post-service. It's not just them. It's
their wives and husbands. It's their families. It's everybody
that has to do with the sacrifice they do for their country. ...
I play a kids' game for a living. Part of that is because of
them. I feel very fortunate to be presented this award.”
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