The 2024 season could end with an individual honor for San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle.
Kittle was named as one of three finalists for the 14th annual NFL Salute to Service award.
Thirty-two nominees consisting of active and retired players, coaches and team executives and personnel who best demonstrated support for the military community were selected in November.
Kittle was picked as the 49ers’ nominee and has now made the final cut along with Aaron Jones of the Minnesota Vikings and Morgan Fox of the Los Angeles Chargers.
The winner will be announced at NFL Honors on February 6 in New Orleans. USAA, which presents the award, will contribute $25,000 in the recipient’s honor to the official aid societies representing each of the military branches. The NFL Foundation will match that donation, which will go directly to the recipient’s military charity of choice.
“Our three finalists for the 2024 Salute to Service Award are all deserving of recognition for their long-standing and unwavering commitment to honoring the military community,” said USAA Senior Vice President and head of Military Affairs, Major General (Ret.) John Richardson.
“We commend Aaron Jones, George Kittle and Morgan Fox for continually using their platforms as NFL players to advance and enrich the lives of our military service members and their families, putting service to others above themselves.”
Explaining Kittle’s support for military causes, an NFL press release read in part: “George Kittle’s connection is personal, rooted in family with his Uncle Pat and Grandfather Carl among loved ones who’ve served. Kittle hosts military and frontline heroes at every game, donating over 400 tickets in six years.
“Founding Hidden Pearls Podcast (HPP) in 2020, Kittle and his family amplify community stories, including those of nearly 60 veterans. Inspired by these stories, he and his family created an app offering free mental health resources to veterans, including the meditative practices he uses while playing.
“Kittle has donated over $250,000 to military nonprofits and further highlighted military organizations through My Cause My Cleats. Kittle’s connection with service members goes beyond their introduction. After gifting the family of fallen Army soldier SGT Martin LaMar Super Bowl tickets, Kittle continues to host them at training camp and keeps SGT LaMar’s Purple Heart in his locker.
“Army veteran Chris Kleinsorge handed a uniform he wore in Afghanistan to Kittle’s wife, Claire, during an away game on behalf of all military veterans. Understanding the uniform’s importance, Kittle flew Kleinsorge and his wife to a 49ers home game. These are just two of countless stories that exemplify Kittle’s dedication to the military community. Kittle is an active participant in the team’s Salute to Service programming and goes the extra mile to create opportunities to uplift the military community.”
Kittle was named to the Pro Bowl and received second-team All-Pro honors for his efforts on the field in 2024, but receiving recognition for his work in this capacity would mean much more.
