George Kittle with his family, friends and Col. Robert Barnhart, who presented him with the Salute to Service award at a private event at Levi Stadium on Dec. 30, 2024. (Darlene Barnhart, courtesy)
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle was revealed Wednesday as the recipient of the NFL’s 14th annual Salute to Service award, which honors members of the NFL community for their contributions to the U.S. military community. Kittle will be recognized on stage at NFL Honors on Thursday.
The Salute to Service initiative raises funds for partner organizations that work on issues related to veterans and military families. The award kicked off with the announcement of 32 nominees in November, most of them NFL players, who were narrowed down to three finalists after rounds of fan voting and a panel deliberation.
The two other finalists for the award were Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones and Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox.
Kittle’s personal connections to the military include the service of his uncle and grandfather, according to an NFL news release. He has donated $250,000 to military nonprofits as well as over 400 game tickets to service members and front-line heroes in the last six years, the release said, and has featured dozens of veterans’ stories on his podcast.
An emotional scene
Although the announcement was made Wednesday, Kittle received the award in a private ceremony in December.
It took place at Levi Stadium, after the 49ers’ game against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 30, 2024, according to U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert Barnhart, Jr., who presented Kittle with the award. Barnhart is the commanding officer of the 23rd Marine Regiment in San Bruno, Calif., a suburb of San Francisco, and fulfilled a request from the 49ers that a service member present Kittle with the award.
Two U.S. Air Force T-38 Talons from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., perform a flyover for the last home game of the San Francisco 49ers season at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif., Dec. 30, 2024. In a private event after the game, 49ers tight end George Kittle received the NFL’s Salute to Service award. (Chelsea Arana/U.S. Air Force)
After the game concluded, Kittle was brought up to a special suite with his parents, sister and friends. He was unaware that the gathering was to celebrate the award and seemed to think it another of his many meet-and-greets, Barnhart said.
“It was a bit of a surprise,” Barnhart told Stars and Stripes, later adding that “He (Kittle) was overwhelmingly surprised that he had won.”
“It took a few minutes for it to hit,” Barnhart said, but “he was almost in tears as he figured it out.”
Barnhart said he thanked Kittle’s parents for raising their son well and similarly praised Kittle’s sister and spouse, directing most of his comments to Kittle’s loved ones.
“Aside from being one of the most talented, widely respected tight ends, I think this honor will rank as one of his most special,” Barnhart said.
The emotional scene and importance of family described by Barnhart matches a statement from Kittle released by the league.
“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 statement reads.
Twenty-third Marine Regiment commanding officer Col. Robert Barnhart Jr. (left), San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (middle) and Barnhart’s spouse Darlene pose for a photo on Dec. 30, 2024 at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif. (Darlene Barnhart, courtesy)
Col. Robert Barnhart, right, with another attendee at the Dec. 30, 2024 event honoring George Kittle’s award. (Darlene Barnhart, courtesy)
The highlight of a year-round program
The award that gets announced during Super Bowl week is just one component of a larger initiative.
Jennifer Escobar, head of brand marketing at USAA, which presents the award, said in a phone interview that she would like to see more attention paid to the year-round aspect of the program. “It’s an ongoing commitment,” she said.
That long-running commitment is exemplified by Kittle, who Escobar pointed out has been nominated for the award four years in a row — but not only by him.
The initiative annually entails the hosting of thousands of military families at events and games, including the NFL draft, training camps and Super Bowl, as well as visits from football players to military installations.
Chicago Bears guard Bill Murray and Bears offensive tackle Jake Curhan sign autographs during an NFL Salute to Service event at Naval Station Great Lakes in Great Lakes, Ill., Oct. 29, 2024. (Matt Hall/U.S. Navy)
Aside from events for service members and their families, Salute to Service raises funds for prominent military charity organizations, including the Wounded Warrior Project, USO, American Legion and TAPS, among others.
The USAA awards $25,000 in the Salute to Service Award winner’s name to official aid societies representing each branch of the military, matched with another $25,000 from the NFL Foundation that goes to a military charity of the recipient’s choice.
The NFL also sells unique gear and auctions game-worn items each season, with the proceeds going toward partner organizations.
The NFL and USAA say they have raised $73 million for these partner charities since the initiative was launched in 2011.
Salute to Service has helped USAA develop relationships with other military-related nonprofits and groups, even outside of the NFL, Escobar said. The USAA currently counts nearly 40 such affiliations.
Asked if there are any plans to expand the roster of organizations that participate in Salute to Service, Escobar replied that the USAA always welcomes more.
“The more the better on this. ... It’s a win-win for us,” Escobar said.
