The NFL has revealed their latest list of nominees for their annual partnership with USAA to present their “Salute to Service Award.” The 2026 nominee for the Chicago Bears is also one of their longest tenured players on their roster.
Per a press release by the NFL the Bears’ 2026 nominee for this distinguished honor will be Josh Blackwell. The prestigious annual award, now in its 16th year, honors a league member who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to honoring and supporting the military community.
Below is their quote for what he’s done to aid the active and veteran military communities.
Josh Blackwell, a Chicago Bears defensive back and special teams standout, embodies the spirit of Salute to Service through his continued commitment to service members and military families. For the past two years, Josh has participated in the Bears’ annual Naval Station Great Lakes visit in partnership with USAA. During his visits, he toured the installation, learned what daily life looks like on base, and spent time with recruits and sailors experiencing the demands of boot camp and military training. What stood out most was Josh’s ability to connect with the recruits by sharing both his successes and the obstacles he overcame to become the NFL player and person he is today. By speaking openly about his journey and making his experiences relatable, he encouraged recruits to push through the challenges they faced during training. Josh also spent time signing autographs, taking photos, and meeting with military members and their families. Even as the line grew, he remained engaged with each family, taking the time to create a memorable and meaningful experience for everyone who came to meet the players. Through his continued involvement at Naval Station Great Lakes, Josh has shown genuine respect for those who serve while using his experiences to encourage recruits and build personal connections with service members and military families. He continues to be a strong advocate for our nation’s veterans and service members.
That sure brought back some memories from my time at Great Mistakes Lakes for basic military training to begin my US Navy career over fourteen years ago…
Personal nostalgia aside, the last Chicago Bear to have been honored with this award was Jared Allen in 2014. The Salute to Service Award has seen many nominees that include players, alumni, legends of the game, and coaches. For people interested in voting, that has started now and will last until November 30th, 2026. Fan voting will determine the three finalists in advance of the joint announcement in January of 2027. The award recipient will be recognized on “NFL Honors” during Super Bowl LXI week in Los Angeles, CA.
Voting can be done by following this link.
