Updates

The NFL and USAA have named Steve Cannon, CEO of AMB Sports and Entertainment, the parent company of the Atlanta Falcons, as the recipient of the 2020 Salute to Service Award.

Cannon will be recognized at NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally the night before Super Bowl LV at 8 PM ET on CBS. USAA, a leading provider of insurance and other financial services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families, will contribute $25,000 in Cannon's honor to the official aid societies representing all five military branches. The NFL Foundation will match USAA's donation of $25,000, which will be donated to Cannon's military charity of choice and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur M. Blank, will also match the $25,000 donation from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

"Steve is a role model we can all look up to on how to selflessly support the military community and a deserving recipient of the 10th annual Salute to Service Award," said Vice Admiral (Ret.) John Bird, USAA Senior Vice President of Military Affairs. "We thank Steve for his service in the U.S. Army and congratulate him on this award. With four of the past five award recipients having been nominated by the team, we also want to recognize the Atlanta Falcons and Steve for their leadership in creating a culture of military appreciation."

"It is truly an honor to be selected as the NFL's 2020 USAA Salute to Service award recipient. Supporting our military is a key pillar of the Atlanta Falcons organization, and what I consider to be a life purpose of mine," said Steve Cannon. "I'm grateful to the NFL to be able to use this platform to shine a spotlight on the service men and women who serve around the world, and I want to thank Atlanta Falcons owner, Arthur Blank, for always encouraging our franchise, and the entire Blank Family of Businesses, to be the benchmark of what it means to support our military. There is an immeasurable debt we owe to those who sacrifice so much for our freedom, and I look forward to continuing to work to recognize and honor them."

Through Cannon's countless hours of service to multiple military non-profits over the years, his constant "military first" mindset and use of the NFL's platform has provided active-duty service members, veterans and military families with first-class experiences and support.

The 32 nominees for the award were publicly announced in November and the submissions were evaluated by a panel of judges. Nominees' credentials are evaluated based on the positive effect of the individual's efforts on the military community, the type of service conducted, the thoroughness of the program and level of commitment.

The Salute to Service Award is part of the NFL and USAA's year-round commitment to recognize and honor the military community. Fans can join the NFL and USAA in honoring the military community by visiting NFL.com/Salute.