Air Force graduate Ben Garland wins NFL’s Salute To Service Award
1/18/2019 9:05:00 AM | Football
2010 Academy graduate third straight Atlanta Falcon to win
Air Force Academy graduate and former football great Ben Garland has been named the winner of the NFL's Salute To Service Award. Garland, a 2010 Academy graduate, is in his fifth season in the league and currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons. He is a major-select in the Colorado Air National Guard. Garland is the third straight Atlanta Falcon to earn the honor.
The award, presented by USAA, will be honored as part of the NFL Honors show when Feb. 2 leading up to the Super Bowl. Garland was selected for his efforts to support members of the military community. USAA, a provider of insurance and other services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families, will contribute $25,000 in the award recipient's honor to the official aid societies representing all five military branches. The NFL will match USAA's donation to the award recipient's military charity of choice.
Garland, who is a two-time NFL Man of the Year nominee, is involved with helping veterans adjust to life after service and helping to raise awareness for PTSD. Last year, he participated in the Armed Forces Mission's Georgia LOSS Walk, when he walked alongside veterans, service members and families for a program called "Turning the Tide on Veteran Suicide."
He is a tireless worker in his community and works with a number of military nonprofits, including Merging Vets and Players, Emory Healthcare Veterans Program, Shepherd Center SHARE Initiative and TAPS. He works with Pigskin Patriots to help raise funds and donate time for camps for military children and with Children of the Fallen Patriots Foundation on granting college scholarship funds.
