NFL Helps Wounded Warrior Project Honor and Empower Injured Veterans

Football is the No. 1 sport in America, and through the NFL’s platform, the league celebrates the men and women who serve America. The NFL’s Salute to Service initiative is year-round to “honor, empower, and connect with the Nation’s service members, veterans, and their families.”

The NFL has partnered with Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) since 2011 to help WWP provide life-changing programs and services to wounded warriors.

Ahead of Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8, between the Seahawks and Patriots, here’s a look at some of the ways the NFL, its teams, and players have supported veterans this year.

Salute to Service 

The NFL’s signature military-appreciation campaign honors veterans and service members throughout the year. Since the campaign started in 2011, it has raised more than $75 million to help support veterans service organizations, including WWP. Throughout the season, the NFL and its affiliates hold special events, military appreciation days, and more to highlight the military and veteran community and the contributions they make to the nation.

The NFL also presents the Salute to Service Award, presented by USAA, annually to honor a player or coach’s commitment to support the military community. The 2026 award went to 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. The other finalists were Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. and Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson. 

My Cause, My Cleats 

Every year, NFL players have the opportunity to pick a cause close to their hearts on a specially designed pair of cleats. In the 2025-26 season, nine players selected WWP as their charity of choice for My Cause, My Cleats.

Among those was Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd, whose parents both served in the Navy.

“It's really important to honor [veterans] because they truly sacrifice their lives,” Devin said. “Not everybody in the military is going to be on the battlefield, but everybody's serving the country.”

The other players who selected WWP for My Cause, My Cleats this year were:

NFL Players Attend Project Odyssey 

WWP’s Project Odyssey is a unique program that uses adventure-based learning to help warriors push out of their comfort zones and build mental resiliency. In August, NFL players Morgan Fox and Devin Lloyd joined their fathers at a Project Odyssey event in Bend, Oregon, to bond with a group of warriors.

Morgan’s father, Joe Fox, is an Army veteran and regional director for Project Odyssey. Devin’s father, Joe Lloyd, is a Navy veteran and a WWP warrior.

During the event, the players and warriors biked, played games, and spent time on the river.

“I love interacting with warriors and veterans and just being around them, and hanging out, and hearing people’s stories,” Morgan said at the retreat.

Breaking Records with the Baltimore Ravens

WWP warrior and Project Odyssey Director Ryan Kules rowed his way into the record books, recording the long row by a double amputee on a rowing machine.

Ryan, who lost his left leg and right arm in 2005 when his vehicle was hit with an IED in Iraq. On Dec. 1, in the locker room at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Ryan broke three world records — most meters covered in one hour by a double amputee on an indoor rowing machine, fastest marathon by a double amputee on an indoor rowing machine, and fastest ultramarathon by a double amputee on an indoor rowing machine. Ryan’s family members and other wounded veterans rowed alongside him at times to help inspire him to keep going.

After the record-breaking row, the Ravens surprised Ryan with Super Bowl tickets.

Gronk Rappels with Warrior to Honors Veterans

Former Patriots star Rob Gronkowski joined WWP warrior Jeremiah Pauley to rappel down the side of a 5-story building during a Fox NFL Sunday broadcast.

The event was part of the broadcast’s Veterans Day celebration.

Football, Family, and Honoring Service 

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Johnny Wilson honored his grandfather and warriors from the Philadelphia area during the Eagles’ Military Appreciation Day practice.

Johnny’s grandfather, Richard Wilson, served in the Navy, Air Force, and Army.

Eagles fan and WWP warrior Edwin Martinez was in attendance for the practice and connected with Richard over their shared service.

“It was real cool meeting Johnny and his grandfather. Hearing his stories about what he did in Vietnam was very inspiring,” Edwin said. “It’s one of the reasons why I became a soldier, to defend our country. Even though it’s different eras of veterans, we all served the same.”

Storm Brightens Warrior’s Life 

The Los Angeles Chargers honored WWP warrior Marcus Carbello by gifting him Storm, a trained service dog. Marcus, an L.A. County firefighter, was surprised by the announcement of his new addition during the Chargers training camp in August.

Paws for Life K9 Rescue trained the dog for a year to prepare her to become a life-changing companion to a veteran.

The Chargers Pup program is a partnership between the Chargers and nonprofits to spotlight a service dog in training.

“She’s going to 100% better my life and then also my family’s,” Marcus said.

Learn more about how WWP’s Corporate Partners Help Warriors Thrive.

Contact: Paris Moulden, Public Relations, pmoulden@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.570.7910

About Wounded Warrior Project 

Wounded Warrior Project is our nation’s leading veteran services organization, focused on the total well-being of post-9/11 wounded, ill, or injured veterans. Our programs, advocacy, and awareness efforts help warriors thrive, provide essential lifelines to families and caregivers, and prevent veteran suicides. Learn more about Wounded Warrior Project.