The NFL and USAA have announced the 2026 nominees for the Salute to Service Award, honoring those who go above and beyond in supporting the military and veteran communities. Special teams coordinator Brant Boyer has been named the San Francisco 49ers' nominee for this year's award.
Brant Boyer's commitment to the military
Coach Brant Boyer's commitment to the military community stems from a deeply personal legacy. His grandfather, a Marine who survived the Battle of Iwo Jima, raised him with the quiet strength of service.
At 92 years old, Boyer's grandfather still carried the weight of that battle—the sounds of shells, the bombs falling all around them. Only on their final fishing trip together did he open up about what it was like when they landed. That conversation profoundly shaped Boyer's understanding of the sacrifice made by those who serve and the lasting impact that service carries long after coming home.
Driven by this deep respect, Boyer has demonstrated genuine commitment to the military community through the NFL's My Cause My Cleats program. In 2024 and 2025, he represented Veterans Care Charity, an organization dedicated to supporting veterans and individuals facing hardship through emergency outreach and vital care programs, providing hygiene kits, blankets, and essential supplies to help rebuild their lives.
This season, he will support Warriors and Quiet Waters, which empowers post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones to thrive through peak experiences in nature and evidence-based programs that foster growth, discovery, and connection, and helps build community.
Boyer's support extends beyond platform awareness. He actively participates in veteran experiences and excursions, stepping off the sideline to connect directly with the community he deeply honors.
His commitment reflects his grandfather's legacy and his conviction that those who serve deserve the care and respect they've earned.
About the Salute to Service Award
"The Salute to Service Award is an incredible opportunity each season for USAA and the NFL to recognize those who engage in exceptional efforts to show appreciation for the military community, particularly this year as our nation celebrates 250 years," said Major General (Retired) Bob Whittle, senior vice president and head of military affairs at USAA. "We are proud to celebrate these nominees and their exceptional contributions towards honoring and supporting our military, and we hope they encourage fans everywhere to do the same."
Fans can vote for their favorite nominee online, with one vote per nominee per day from now through Monday, November 30, 2026 at 8:59 p.m. PT. Fan voting will help determine the award's three finalists, who will be announced in January 2027. The award recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors, the league's annual primetime awards special, during the week of Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles.
49ers running back Christian McCaffrey received the 2025 Salute to Service Award. Through the Christian McCaffrey Foundation's 23 and Troops initiative, launched in 2021, he helps veterans, particularly those in the Special Operations community, access athlete-level care for their mental and physical well-being. His foundation has invested nearly $700,000 in military support, including funding for trauma healing through REBOOT Recovery and personalized medical care through Resilience Code.
As the 2025 Salute to Service Award recipient, McCaffrey will join the Salute to Service Award panel that will select the 2026 award recipient. Additional judges include Chad Hennings, an Air Force Academy graduate and three-time Super Bowl champion; Donnie Edwards, 2019 Salute to Service Award recipient and NFL legend; Bob Whittle, USAA Senior Vice President and Head of Military Affairs; and Christine Dorfler, NFL Chief Financial Officer and U.S. Army Veteran.
As the award's presenting sponsor, USAA, a leading provider of insurance, banking, and financial services to U.S. military members, veterans, and their families, will contribute $25,000 in the recipient's name to official aid societies representing all U.S. military branches. The NFL Foundation will match USAA's contribution by donating an additional $25,000 to the recipient's military nonprofit charity of choice.
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