By Robert Haugh

49ers tight end George Kittle has been named the winner of the USAA 2024 Salute to Service award. 

The award honors NFL players who go above and beyond to support the military community.

Kittle, a two-time All-Pro, was chosen over finalists Aaron Jones of the Minnesota Vikings and Morgan Fox of the Los Angeles Chargers. 

The award will be presented to Kittle at NFL Honors.

Kittle hosts military and frontline heroes at every 49ers game, donating more than 400 tickets over six years. He and his family also use their Hidden Pearls Podcast to highlight community stories, including nearly 60 featuring veterans.

Kittle has also made a difference through his charity work. He created an app offering free mental health resources to veterans and has donated over $250,000 to military nonprofits. He’s also supported organizations like the Pat Tillman Foundation and Operation Surf through the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative.

As part of the award, USAA will donate $25,000 to military aid societies in Kittle’s name. The NFL Foundation will match this donation, giving an additional $25,000 to Kittle’s military charity of choice.

Kittle’s ties to the military run deep. His uncle and grandfather both served, and his uncle’s experience in the National Guard had a profound impact on Kittle’s life.

“I am incredibly thankful to receive this award,” Kittle stated. “The real heroes are the active-duty members, veterans, and families who have lost loved ones. This is for them.”