The NFL and USAA, an official NFL Salute to Service partner, announced today the 2024 nominees for the annual Salute to Service Award presented by USAA. Each year, the Salute to Service Award recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni who make exceptional efforts to honor and support military and veteran communities. The Saints 2024 Salute to Service Award nominee is United States Army Captain Nate Degen, who works in the team's business operations department.
The Saints hired Captain Degen, an established Army helicopter pilot, as a member of their staff prior to the start of the season. Degen's role as fan engagement coordinator is focused on fan engagement experience within the business operations division. His hiring was a notable first as both the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans organizations are embracing the Department of Defense SkillBridge program, facilitating this collaboration between the military and professional sports organizations.
Following a successful career in the Army, including serving as a Team Army athlete at the 2024 Department of Defense Warrior Games, Captain Degen has brought his remarkable resilience, adaptability, and leadership skills to both the Saints and Pelicans organizations. Having sustained multiple injuries, he underwent recovery at the Fort Belvoir Soldier Recovery Unit, where he prepared for a future beyond the Army. His valuable lessons learned from his military service and commitment to excellence, honed through adaptive sports and recovery from injuries, positions him as a valuable asset to the organization.
Fans have an opportunity to vote for their favorite nominee, all of whom are selected by their respective NFL team, to help determine the award's three finalists. To see all the nominees and cast your vote, visit NFL.com/SaluteFanVote from now until November 30. Fans can submit one vote per day for their favorite nominee. The three finalists will be announced in January, and the recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors, a prime time awards special that will take place in New Orleans in February and air nationally during the week of Super Bowl LIX.
