Kansas City Chiefs nominate Kendall Gammon for 2026 Salute to Service
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 5, 2026 — The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Nov. 5, 2026, that Chiefs legend and Kansas City ambassador Kendall Gammon is the club’s nominee for the 2026 Salute to Service Award, presented by USAA. Chiefs public relations announced the nomination. The annual award, now in its 16th year, honors NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni who demonstrate exceptional commitment to supporting U.S. service members, veterans and their families.
The club said Gammon was chosen for sustained work supporting service members and veterans and for drawing inspiration from his father, a U.S. Air Force veteran. Gammon spent 15 seasons in the NFL and has remained engaged with the community as a Kansas City ambassador after his playing career. “The commitment Kendall has shown our servicemen and women, veterans, and their families is a testament to the man he has continued to be since his time on the field,” Chuck Castellano, the Chiefs’ vice president of community outreach and alumni affairs, said.
Gammon said he was “truly honored to be nominated as the Kansas City Chiefs representative for the Salute to Service Award.” Following a 15-year NFL career, he has used his experiences with adversity, mental health challenges and the transition from professional football to connect with veterans navigating similar issues after military service. He previously served as chief development officer for War Horses for Veterans, working with veterans and first responders through equine-based programs designed to build confidence, trust, communication and resilience.
The Chiefs listed several of Gammon’s veteran-focused activities, including repeated visits to Whiteman Air Force Base, speaking at a Chief Master Sergeant Recognition Ceremony and delivering the keynote address at a University of Kansas ROTC commissioning ceremony. He has worked with Friends in Service of Heroes and, with support from the Chiefs, surprised attendees by presenting 50 personalized game balls modeled after those given to Chiefs players. Gammon also participated in the ceremonial First Pass during a Chiefs Salute to Service game alongside National WWI Museum and Memorial President and CEO Dr. Matthew Naylor, illustrating his continued engagement with military organizations.
Gammon is one of 32 nominees announced by the NFL and USAA, an official Salute to Service partner. Fans can vote at NFL.com/SaluteFanVote through Monday, Nov. 30, 2026, at 10:59 p.m. CST; one vote per nominee is permitted per day. Fan voting will help determine three finalists to be announced in January 2027, and the award recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors during the week of Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles.
As the award’s presenting sponsor, USAA will contribute $25,000 in the recipient’s name to official aid societies representing all U.S. military branches, and the NFL Foundation will match that amount with an additional $25,000 to the recipient’s chosen military nonprofit. The Chiefs said Salute to Service activities take place leaguewide, with clubs recognizing the military community through on-field branding and game-day events during Weeks 9-11 of the regular season. The team encouraged fans to participate in voting to support Gammon’s nomination.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Kendall Gammon’s nomination highlights sustained, hands-on commitment to the military community through roles with War Horses for Veterans and repeated visits to military installations and ceremonies. His outreach, informed by personal experience and inspired by his father’s service, aligns with the Salute to Service Award’s goal of honoring and supporting service members, veterans and their families. Fan voting will influence which nominees advance to the finalist round, and if Gammon reaches the finalists or wins, the USAA and NFL Foundation contributions will direct additional funds to military nonprofit organizations he supports.