The Indianapolis Colts announced today that All-Pro punter Pat McAfee has been named the team’s ‘Salute to Service’ nominee. Regarding this honor (via Colts.com):
"“This award was started in 2012 by the NFL to recognize players for their extraordinary efforts to honor and serve U.S. service members and veterans. Every year, each of the 32 NFL teams nominates a player, coach or staff member to be considered for the national award. The award’s two finalists will be announced during the postseason and the 2015 award winner will be announced Super Bowl week.”"
McAfee in particular embodies the spirit of the award in regards to his exceptional service to the lives of military personnel and their families:
"“McAfee was nominated for the Salute to Service Award for his continued commitment to military and their families. Through his foundation, McAfee has provided more than $150,000 in scholarships to the sons and daughters of U.S. military. In addition, he regularly provides assistance to military families who are going through hardships through his work with Wish for Our Heroes, a non-profit organization based in Indianapolis, Ind.”"
It’s worth noting that McAfee was a semi-finalist for the award last season, but then Chicago Bear Jared Allen and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Vincent Jackson ultimately were announced as the finalists–with Allen eventually being named as the winner of the award.
This year’s team nominees are as follows:
"Arizona Cardinals- Larry Fitzgerald (wide receiver)Atlanta Falcons- Dan Quinn (head coach)Baltimore Ravens- Steve Smith (wide receiver)Buffalo Bills- Manny Lawson (outside linebacker)Carolina Panthers- Ron Rivera (head coach)Chicago Bears- Matt Slauson (guard/center)Cincinnati Bengals- Johanna Kappner (staff member-finance)Cleveland Browns- Alex Mack (center)Dallas Cowboys- Darren Woodson (former safety)Denver Broncos- Malik Jackson (defensive end)Green Bay Packers- Zeke Bratkowski (former quarterback)Houston Texans- Brian Cushing (inside linebacker)Indianapolis Colts- Pat McAfee (punter)Jacksonville Jaguars- Roy Miller (defensive tackle)Jacksonville Jaguars- Matthew Smiley (coach)Kansas City Chiefs- Mike DeVito (defensive end)Miami Dolphins- Jason Fox (offensive tackle)New England Patriots- Robert Kraft (head coach)New Orleans Saints- Sean Payton (head coach)New York Giants- Tom Coughlin (head coach)New York Jets- Eric Decker (wide receiver)Oakland Raiders- Napoleon McCallum (former running back)Philadelphia Eagles- Zach Ertz (tight end)Pittsburgh Steelers- Alejandro Villanueva (left tackle)San Diego Chargers- Mike McCoy (head coach)San Francisco 49ers- Torrey Smith (wide receiver)Seattle Seahawks- Jermaine Kearse (wide receiver)St. Louis Rams- Jeff Fisher (head coach)Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Vincent Jackson (wide receiver)Washington Redskins- Andre Roberts (wide receiver)"