CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns fullback Andy Janovich was named the team’s nominee for the Salute to Service Award presented by USAA.
The award acknowledges “exceptional efforts by members of the NFL community to honor and support U.S. service members, veterans and their families.”
Janovich was nominated for the 10th annual award for his proactive measure to honor members of the armed forces.
In 2018 and 2019, Janovich supported Hunting with Soldiers during the league’s “My Cause for Cleats,” an organization focused on getting combat veterans into the outdoors to help heal PTSD by way of hunting and fishing at no cost to them, according to the NFL.
In 2018, while with the Denver Broncos, Janovich visited military members and their families at Fort Carson Army Base during a Salute to Service Caravan, the league said.
Janovich actively uses social media to support the military, including helping the league raise money for the Salute to Service initiative, according to the league.
Although he’s new to the Browns, Janovich has expressed strong interest in supporting the team’s Salute to Service initiatives this season.
Also nominated this year is former Browns player personnel strategist Brian Decker, who is now the director of player development for the Indianapolis Colts. Decker is a former Green Beret who worked his way up to Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Special Forces. Decker completed two tours of duty in Iraq. He later served as Commander of Special Forces Assessment and Selection, helping with the talent acquisition strategy for future Green Berets. Today, Decker still serves by giving back to veterans like himself, focusing on non-traditional ways to utilize former military members.
Finalists for the award are expected to be announced in January and the winner will be recognized at the primetime award special NFL Honors that will air the week of Super Bowl LV.
In addition to the award, USAA will donate $25,000 in the winner’s name to help support military members in all five branches. The NFL will match the $25,000 contribution and donate it to the winner’s military charity of choice.
