NEW ORLEANS — The Salute to Service award for 2024 has been awarded to George Kittle, the two-time All-Pro tight end of the San Francisco 49ers.
Kittle triumphed in the selection process, outperforming other nominees such as Aaron Jones, the running back for the Minnesota Vikings, and Morgan Fox, the defensive end from the Los Angeles Chargers.
This prestigious award is given to individuals within the NFL community who have shown exceptional commitment to honoring and supporting military personnel. Kittle will receive this recognition at the NFL Honors event scheduled for Thursday night.
Throughout his time in the NFL, Kittle has demonstrated a profound dedication to military personnel by inviting heroes from the military and frontline responders to attend every 49ers game. Over the past six years, he has generously donated more than 400 tickets to these individuals.
Beyond this gesture, Kittle, along with his family, narrates community stories—nearly 60 of which involve veterans—through the Hidden Pearls Podcast that they established in 2020.
Additionally, they have developed an app that provides complimentary mental health resources for veterans, which includes the meditative techniques Kittle utilizes while playing football.
Kittle has also made significant financial contributions, donating over $250,000 to various military-related nonprofits. He has highlighted several military organizations through the My Cause My Cleats initiative, supporting causes like the Pat Tillman Foundation, TAPS, Merging Vets and Players, Operation Freedom Paws, and Operation Surf.
In a statement, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised Kittle, stating, “George Kittle truly embodies the essence of the Salute to Service Award. His commitment to honoring service members and his active engagement with a multitude of military organizations makes him an ideal candidate for this honor. The NFL community takes pride in his efforts to give back to those who sacrifice for our country, and he deserves congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment.”
To further the impact of this honor, USAA, an organization providing financial services to the U.S. military community, will donate $25,000 in Kittle’s name to the official aid societies of each military branch.
The NFL Foundation will match this donation with an additional $25,000, which will be directed towards Kittle’s chosen military charity.
Kittle’s familial ties to the military are evident, as both his uncle and grandfather served.
Expressing his gratitude, Kittle remarked, “I am incredibly thankful and honored to be this year’s Salute to Service Award recipient. My appreciation for the military comes from witnessing my Uncle Pat serve multiple tours with the National Guard, and seeing the profound effects it had on him and his family.”
He continued, “Without my family’s unwavering support, building genuine relationships with the true heroes—active-duty members, veterans, TAPS, and families who have lost loved ones in combat—would not be possible. The support shown for the military across the league is significant; it is heartening to see players on every team participating, not just the nominees. It’s essential to honor their sacrifices, enabling us to live our lives as we do.”
