Jonathan Knauth never imagined he would ever attend the Super Bowl. But thanks to Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, his dream is now a reality.
Last week, Daniels announced on social media that as part of a partnership with USAA and the Marine Corps Association, he is helping send Knauth to Super Bowl LIX this Sunday in New Orleans.
“I have so much thanks to Jayden; a heartfelt thanks to him for extending this invite. He seems like an outstanding man and football player,” Knauth said. “Being a middle-class family, I’d never otherwise get this experience.”
Knauth, who currently lives in Stafford, Va., is a decorated combat veteran who served a 30-year career in the United States Marine Corps.
He started his career as an enlisted combat photographer, eventually being promoted to the rank of gunnery sergeant, before transitioning into the officer ranks as a warrant officer. He served more than 15 years as an enlisted Marine and nearly 15 years as an officer, retiring in 2023 as Chief Warrant Officer 5 – the highest rank a Warrant Officer can achieve in the Marines.
His military career took him on assignments all over the country and included overseas deployments for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, Operation Damayan in the Philippines in 2012 and Operation Sahayogi Haat in Japan in 2015.
He also had smaller deployments in Vietnam, Kuwait, Thailand and Guam, and served as the senior visual information officer at Communication Directorate, Headquarters Marine Corps, Pentagon, before retiring.
Knauth received many military awards, including the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and Drill Instructor ribbon.
After dedicating much of his life to the military, Knauth said he feels so appreciative for organizations like the NFL which recognize and make veterans feel valued.
“As a veteran, it’s so nice to see everything the NFL does for the military community,” Knauth said. “It’s always good to know you’re being supported back home, especially these big corporations who have the means to provide this support and how they’re giving back.”
Knauth was nominated by the Marine Corps Association to receive two tickets to the Super Bowl.
“To be nominated alone was just huge for me, and I’m just so honored to have been chosen for this,” Knauth said, who is bringing his childhood best friend, Jonathan Richards, along with him.
From playing Star Wars on the playground to playing soccer together, the game will be a once-in-a-lifetime event they’ll get to experience together and remember forever.
Although Knauth is a die-hard Miami Dolphins fan, he said he could pull for either the Philadelphia Eagles or Kansas City Chiefs to win the Super Bowl.
“I’m there for the history for the Chiefs to get their three consecutive rings, but I also have a family connection to Philly, so I could really pull for either team,” he said.
Born and raised in Daytona Beach, Fla., Knuath’s NFL fandom started when he was around three years old. His mother, although from Philadelphia, was a huge Dolphins fan.
His favorite memory as a Dolphins fan was being honored on the field during the Salute to Service game in 2022, but this Super Bowl experience will be added to his favorite NFL memories.
“I’ve been an NFL fan my entire life; I just love the professional game,” he said. “But getting to sit down with Jayden Daniels and shake his hand and pick his brain on what it feels like to be in the NFL will be something I never forget.”
Part of the experience Knuath will get with his friend will be to meet and chat with Daniels at the USAA Salute to Service Lounge before heading to the game.
“I think we’ll have a lot to talk about with Jayden Daniels coming from a military family,” Knauuth said. “But I’d also love to ask him what it’s like to make it to the big stage and accomplish so much, and how he is handling this instant success.”
Daniels, whose grandfathers both served in the military, said he is blessed to be in the position to allow a veteran to attend the Super Bowl.
“Following my first NFL season, I’m feeling overwhelmingly blessed to be in this position and I credit a lot of the success to my upbringing and the lessons my parents passed down from my grandfathers who served in the military,” Daniels said. “Keeping the important things in perspective, it’s an honor to work with USAA and the Marine Corps Association to thank Jonathan Knauth for his 30 years of military service by sending him to the Super Bowl.”
“Jayden Daniels coming from a family of vets, he can appreciate some of the sacrifices the families make,” Knauth said. “So it’s really great to see him also giving back to our community.”
Knauth said he will always be grateful for Daniels taking the time to give back to the local DMV community and will be looking forward to watching him continue to thrive in the coming seasons.
“He’s a great player, clearly a great guy, and I’m looking forward to chatting with him and watching his career unfold,” Knauth said.