Los Angeles Rams nominate Matthew Stafford for 2026 Salute to Service
The Los Angeles Rams announced quarterback Matthew Stafford as the team’s nominee for the 2026 Salute to Service Award presented by USAA, the club said on Nov. 5, 2026. The annual award recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni who demonstrate exceptional commitment to supporting U.S. service members, veterans and their families. The nomination highlights Stafford’s work with military communities over his 18-year NFL career and his continued efforts since joining the Rams in 2021.
The team cited Stafford’s consistent use of his platform to recognize military personnel, create meaningful experiences and support organizations serving the military and veteran communities. Stafford has hosted active-duty military members from California installations and veterans associated with Merging Vets and Players and the Gary Sinise Foundation. During the Rams’ Salute to Service game, Stafford and his family welcomed 20 guests from the Navy SEAL Foundation for game tickets and an on-field meet-and-greet, marking the second time the family has partnered with that foundation through the team’s Row of Honor initiative.
Stafford and his family also will support the Rams’ second Military Classic flag football tournament on Saturday, Nov. 7, by providing special gifts to all 12 participating military teams. He has helped recognize individuals preparing to enter military service and during a previous Salute to Service game hosted future service members who were honored on the field. Alongside his wife, Kelly, Stafford participated in the American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign, and Kelly supported related efforts at local schools to encourage students to write messages of gratitude distributed to service members and veterans.
Stafford is one of 32 nominees announced by the NFL and USAA, an official Salute to Service partner, and fans can vote at NFL.com/SaluteFanVote from now through Monday, Nov. 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. One vote per nominee per day is permitted, and fan voting will help determine the award’s three finalists, who will be announced in January 2027. The award recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors during the week of Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles. As 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 with an additional $25,000 to the recipient’s military nonprofit charity of choice.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Matthew Stafford’s nomination reflects sustained, visible engagement with military and veteran communities since joining the Rams in 2021. The team-provided examples—hosting veterans and future service members, partnering with the Navy SEAL Foundation and supporting the Military Classic—offer concrete instances of outreach rather than general pledges. With fan voting now part of the selection process, supporters can both recognize Stafford’s work and influence which nominees become finalists. The combined $50,000 in donations tied to the award underlines the practical benefit the recognition can bring to military-focused nonprofits.