Washington Commanders Head Coach Ron Rivera has been awarded the 2022 Salute to Service Award presented by USAA and the NFL for his work with members of the U.S. military and their families.
Rivera had one word when he was told he would receive the award: “Wow,” he said on a video posted on the team's social media.
The award, in its 12th year, was created to acknowledge the efforts of members of the NFL who honor and support members of the U.S. military community.
"During his time as an NFL head coach, Ron Rivera has set the standard for military appreciation, helping educate an entire generation of NFL community members on the importance of supporting our military, veterans, and their families," said retired Vice Adm. John Bird, USAA Senior Vice President of Military Affairs, in a statement.
USAA will contribute $25,000 in Rivera's honor to the official aid societies representing each of the military branches. The NFL Foundation will match USAA's donation, which will be donated to Rivera's military charity of choice.
“Coach, clearly on behalf of the 2.4 million people that serve in the armed forces today, when it comes to honor and power and connecting we know one better than you,” said Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Ramon Colon-Lopez in the video.
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Rivera credits his success in the face of adversity to his military upbringing and the values instilled in him growing up as the son of career Army Chief Warrant Officer Eugenio Rivera on military installations around the country and across the world.
“I’m so proud of all the work you do for our military, veterans and their families,” the elder Rivera told his son.
In turn, the younger Rivera said he received the award in honor of his father.
“Having grown up in a military household, I experienced the sacrifices that military members and their families must make firsthand, and I have always wanted to use my platform to raise awareness and assist the great men and women of our armed forces and their families," he said. "I am thankful that the NFL has put an emphasis on bringing awareness to the ways we can support the men and women who fight for our freedom.
"I want to thank the Washington Commanders for dedicating significant resources in support of the military and in giving myself and our team numerous opportunities to do our part to show our troops that we support and care about them."
During his 12-year career as a head coach in the NFL, Rivera has committed to giving back to the military and veteran communities by consistently connecting his teams with service members and military families to recognize their service and sacrifice.
Last May, Rivera, Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and linebacker Jamin Davis, and Washington co-owner Tanya Snyder surprised departing troops at BWI Airport where the team distributed care packages to troops waiting to board their planes. During training camp, Rivera visited with over 250 service members and veterans at the club's Salute to Service Day and hosted nine wounded/paralyzed veterans from Operation Warrior Wishes.
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Rivera also held a Commanders practice at Joint Base Andrews before the team's first preseason game.
Rivera also hosted Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) families at the OrthoVirginia Training Center for the second year in a row. He is also donating all the proceeds from his appearances on the league-wide SiriusXM NFL Radio channel to the USO.
Rivera will be recognized at NFL Honors, the primetime awards special airing Thursday, Feb. 9 at 9 PM ET on NBC, NFL Network, and Peacock from the Super Bowl in Phoenix.
The Salute to Service Award is part of the NFL and USAA's year-round commitment to recognize and honor the military community. Fans can join the NFL and USAA in honoring the military community by visiting NFL.com/Salute.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
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