Commanders Coach Ron Rivera Receives 2022 Salute to Service Award Presented by USAA

Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera receives award honoring his contributions to the support of the military community.

Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera's connection with the military community is well known. 

After being named as the recipient of the 2022 Salute to Service Award presented by USAA, his efforts to support the same are being recognized and honored.

“During his time as an NFL head coach, Ron Rivera has set the standard for military appreciation, helping educate an entire generation of NFL community members on the importance of supporting our military, veterans, and their families,” said Vice Admiral (Ret.) John Bird, USAA Senior Vice President of Military Affairs via press release. “Having grown up in a military family, Coach Rivera understands sacrifice and what it means to serve, and we thank him for carrying his service of our military forward, as we honor him as the recipient of this year’s Salute to Service Award presented by USAA.”

We previously wrote about some of Rivera's efforts including seeing troops off as they departed for overseas assignments, hosting 250 military members and Veterans to training camp, and contributions to Operation Warrior Wishes, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and the United Service Organizations (USO).

“I humbly accept this award on behalf of my father, Eugenio Rivera, who served as a Warrant Officer in the United States Military for 32 years. Having grown up in a military household, I experienced the sacrifices that military members and their families must make firsthand, and I have always wanted to use my platform to raise awareness and assist the great men and women of our armed forces and their families,” said Ron Rivera. “I am thankful that the NFL has put an emphasis on bringing awareness to the ways we can support the men and women who fight for our freedom. I want to thank the Washington Commanders for dedicating significant resources in support of the military and in giving myself and our team numerous opportunities to do our part to show our troops that we support and care about them.”

The NFL and USAA will recognize Rivera as this year's award recipient at NFL Honors on Thursday, February 9th at 9 P.M. ET, and fans of Washington and coach Rivera can tune in on NBC, NFL Network and Peacock to witness the event. 

Additionally, USAA will contribute $25,000 in Rivera's honor to the official aid societies representing each of the military branches.

The NFL Foundation is also matching that donation amount to Rivera's military charity of choice.

This is the 12th year the award is being awarded, and Rivera is the third head coach to receive it, following Dan Quinn of the Atlanta Falcons in 2016 and Jon Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens in 2013. 

Rivera is the first member of the Commanders organization to receive the Salute to Service Award.

Tight ends Hayden Hurst of the Cincinnati Bengals and George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers were the other two finalists being considered for the honor.

Fans can join the NFL and USAA in honoring the military community by visiting NFL.com/Salute.

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