Donnie Edwards to be Saluted on NFL Honors Show
January 30, 2020 | Football
The NFL and USAA, an Official NFL Salute to Service Partner, named Los Angeles Chargers Legend Donnie Edwards as recipient of the 2019 Salute to Service Award presented by USAA. The award was created to acknowledge the exceptional efforts by members of the NFL community to honor and support members of the militaryย community.
Edwards, who started at linebacker at UCLA from 1992-95, will be recognized at NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on Feb. 1, the eve of Super Bowl LIV, at 8 PM (ET and PT) on FOX.ย USAA, a leading provider of insurance and other services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families, will contribute $25,000 in Edwards' honor to the official aid societies representing all five military branches. The NFL will match USAA's donation of $25,000, which will be donated to the Edwards' military charity of choice.
Edwards received All-America honors in 1994 at UCLA after leading the conference in tackles for loss with 21.0. He finished his Bruin career third on the all-time tackles for loss list (38.0) and fifthย in career sacks (22.5). Edwards went on to be selected in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL Draft and produced 11 straight seasons of at least 15 games started and 100 tackles while playing for the San Diego Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2006, he became one of only eight playersย in NFL history to record at least 20 interceptions and 20 sacks for an NFL career.ย
"Inspired by his grandfather's service in WWII, Donnie has exhibited true appreciation for the sacrifices of WWII veterans and those currently serving overseas," said Vice Admiral (Ret.) JOHN BIRD, USAA Senior Vice President of Military Affairs. "In honor of his very admirable work with those in the greatest generation, USAA is proud to honor Donnie Edwards as the recipient of this year's 'Salute to Service Award presented by USAA.'"
ย As passionate off the field as he was on the gridiron, community involvement quickly became a staple of Edwards' career. In 2002, he founded the Best Defense Foundation to help support two of his passions: youth outreach and military programs."I'm honored to be the recipient of the Salute of Service Award for my work with the military," Edwards said. "It means so much to me to continue the legacy of my grandfather, Maximino, by honoring the ones who defended โ and continue to defend โ freedom."
On the youth front, Edwards' foundation supported and funded numerous programs through organizations such as Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Read Across America that educated youth on nutrition and fitness. In addition, Best Defense Foundation also made a donation to construct a new weight room at his alma mater, Chula Vista High School. ย
Edwards' gratitude for servicemen and women spurred him to participate in nine USO tours and one Armed Forces Entertainment Tour to help boost morale for troops overseas.ย In February 2019, Edwards went to Japan on an NFL-USO Tour to watch the Super Bowl with the troops in Okinawa.ย Back home, Edwards has worked with the Chargers organizationย to honor WWII veterans during special ceremonies at LA's annual Salute to Service game each November.
"There's nothing more rewarding than taking veterans back to where they left their blood, sweat and tears to preserve the freedoms we enjoy," Edwards said. "I do this to honor my grandfather and his legacy. Growing up, he took care of me, and now I'm taking care of the men like him who sacrificed so much for our country. There's a reason our motto is, 'Taking care of the ones who took care of us.'"
The Salute to Service Award is part of the NFL and USAA's year-round commitment to recognize and honor the military community. In October 2019, 32 NFL clubs nominated coaches, active and retired players, and team executives and personnel, who best demonstrated support for the military community. These nominees 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.
Edwards, who started at linebacker at UCLA from 1992-95, will be recognized at NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on Feb. 1, the eve of Super Bowl LIV, at 8 PM (ET and PT) on FOX.ย USAA, a leading provider of insurance and other services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families, will contribute $25,000 in Edwards' honor to the official aid societies representing all five military branches. The NFL will match USAA's donation of $25,000, which will be donated to the Edwards' military charity of choice.
Edwards received All-America honors in 1994 at UCLA after leading the conference in tackles for loss with 21.0. He finished his Bruin career third on the all-time tackles for loss list (38.0) and fifthย in career sacks (22.5). Edwards went on to be selected in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL Draft and produced 11 straight seasons of at least 15 games started and 100 tackles while playing for the San Diego Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2006, he became one of only eight playersย in NFL history to record at least 20 interceptions and 20 sacks for an NFL career.ย
"Inspired by his grandfather's service in WWII, Donnie has exhibited true appreciation for the sacrifices of WWII veterans and those currently serving overseas," said Vice Admiral (Ret.) JOHN BIRD, USAA Senior Vice President of Military Affairs. "In honor of his very admirable work with those in the greatest generation, USAA is proud to honor Donnie Edwards as the recipient of this year's 'Salute to Service Award presented by USAA.'"
ย As passionate off the field as he was on the gridiron, community involvement quickly became a staple of Edwards' career. In 2002, he founded the Best Defense Foundation to help support two of his passions: youth outreach and military programs."I'm honored to be the recipient of the Salute of Service Award for my work with the military," Edwards said. "It means so much to me to continue the legacy of my grandfather, Maximino, by honoring the ones who defended โ and continue to defend โ freedom."
On the youth front, Edwards' foundation supported and funded numerous programs through organizations such as Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Read Across America that educated youth on nutrition and fitness. In addition, Best Defense Foundation also made a donation to construct a new weight room at his alma mater, Chula Vista High School. ย
Edwards' gratitude for servicemen and women spurred him to participate in nine USO tours and one Armed Forces Entertainment Tour to help boost morale for troops overseas.ย In February 2019, Edwards went to Japan on an NFL-USO Tour to watch the Super Bowl with the troops in Okinawa.ย Back home, Edwards has worked with the Chargers organizationย to honor WWII veterans during special ceremonies at LA's annual Salute to Service game each November.
"There's nothing more rewarding than taking veterans back to where they left their blood, sweat and tears to preserve the freedoms we enjoy," Edwards said. "I do this to honor my grandfather and his legacy. Growing up, he took care of me, and now I'm taking care of the men like him who sacrificed so much for our country. There's a reason our motto is, 'Taking care of the ones who took care of us.'"
The Salute to Service Award is part of the NFL and USAA's year-round commitment to recognize and honor the military community. In October 2019, 32 NFL clubs nominated coaches, active and retired players, and team executives and personnel, who best demonstrated support for the military community. These nominees 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.
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