Living up to the team’s namesake, New England Patriots quarterback Joe Cardona received the 2024 NFL Salute to Honor presented by USAA in recognition of players’ efforts to support the military community.
Cardona, a nine-year NFL veteran and graduate of the Naval Academy, has been involved in numerous initiatives to support his teammates. He has donated supplies to help military families in need, organized youth football camps for military children in New England, and provided housing, medical care and more to those who serve. He collaborated with the non-profit organizations “New England Center” and “Veterans’ Home”. Cardona told the Patriots website, “I am honored to receive the NFL Lifetime Achievement Award.”
“I am grateful to the New England Patriots for my military service and hope to be a role model for future players who wish to serve.” Playing there… I am proud to be a United States Navy officer and an NFL player. Whether I admit it or not, I will continue to do my job.During his career with the Patriots, Cardona accomplished the incredibly difficult task of playing football while serving in the military.
He became an officer at the Rhode Island Naval Academy Preparatory School during his freshman season in 2015 and was promoted to lieutenant on June 7, 2019, the Patriots’ Super Bowl LIII ring ceremony and 75th anniversary. D-Day Cardona is currently the division commander of Marine Security Squadron 8, based in Rhode Island and serving more than 500 Sailors on the East Coast.
“Joe Cardona epitomizes the legacy of service to the NFL,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “As an active military member, his dedication to honoring, strengthening and connecting the military community and dedication to his fellow patriots make him truly special. He is the true embodiment of what it means to be an American hero.
“The entire NFL family salutes Joe’s service to our country and congratulates him on receiving this important award.”Cardona is scheduled to receive the award at the NFL Awards on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on CBS and NFL Network. USAA will donate $25,000 in his name to each military relief organization, and the NFL will donate an additional $25,000 to a military charity of Cardona’s choosing.
