Salute to Service is a year-round effort to Honor, Empower, and Connect our nation’s service members, veterans, and their families. USAA and the NFL encourage military appreciation through the Salute to Service effort.

Salute to Service is a year-round effort to Honor, Empower, and Connect our nation’s service members, veterans, and their families. USAA and the NFL encourage military appreciation through the Salute to Service effort.

Discounted Super Bowl Experience Tickets

Attention Current and Former Military! Discounted Super Bowl Experience Tickets Available!

The NFL takes over Downtown Phoenix starting February 4 with Super Bowl Experience presented by Lowe’s at the Phoenix Convention Center. Experience the NFL’s football theme park with interactive games like the 40-yard dash, get star player autographs, take photos with the Super Bowl Rings and Vince Lombardi trophy, and visit NFL Shop. It’s the ultimate Super Bowl Week event with fun for all ages. All military members and their families, including veterans, will receive 50% off their General Admission tickets (not applicable to SBXtra fast pass tickets).

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Salute To Service

USAA Insurance

2022 Award Recipient
RON RIVERA

Coach Rivera credits his success to his military upbringing and the values instilled in by his father, a 32-year-career Commissioned Army Officer. Rivera has spent the entirety of his 12-year career as a Head Coach giving back to a military community that has defined his success as a leader in the league. He has continued his great work with the military by joining in a number of initiatives this year. 

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Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera poses with the Salute to Service Award presented by USAA before the NFL Honors award show on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023 in Phoenix. (Doug Benc/AP Images for the NFL)

USAA Insurance

Gronk

USAA. Earned through service, passed down for generations.

NFL legend Rob Gronkowski has four Super Bowl championships but isn’t eligible for USAA membership. Why is Gronk so interested in USAA? Simple: Our strong legacy of service that started in 1922 when a group of soldiers joined together to insure each other because no one else would. After 100 years, we’re still focused on taking care of the military community and their families. And we’ll continue to ensure we’re meeting their needs for generations to come.

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Military Moments

The National Anthem

The National Anthem

“The Star-Spangled Banner” was first played during a sporting event in the 1918 World Series. A military band played the anthem during the 7th inning stretch. Red Sox 3B Fred Thomas, who was playing while on furlough from the Navy, snapped to attention and saluted. The other players followed suit in “civilian” fashion (hand over their heart). The crowd joined in with a sing-along.

Challenge Coin

Challenge Coin

One origin story of military challenge coins originates from WWI when a unit commander gave coins to pilots in his unit.  One pilot was shot down and captured behind enemy lines. Made to forfeit his belongings, he managed to keep his coin.  The pilot escaped and was picked up by the Allies but without ID, he was slated to be executed as a spy.  Showing the coin saved the pilot after the insignia was recognized. The practice of carrying a coin eventually spread to other military units. During Salute to Service, the NFL uses military challenge coins during the coin flip.

Enlistment Ceremonies

Enlistment Ceremonies

All who join the military are required to take the enlisted or officer Oath, vowing to to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies. Friends and family are often in attendance, and in some cases, thousands of NFL fans. Many NFL teams host enlistment ceremonies and re-enlistment ceremonies on the field before games or at halftime.

Color Guard

Color Guard

For nearly 5,000 years, flags have been used to identify military units. This practice was especially critical in the chaos of battle when soldiers needed to be able to determine the location of their regiment. Due to the advent of modern weapons and technology, Colors are no longer used in battle, but continue to be carried by Color Guards at events and presented pre-game and NFL games.