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3 Pro Bowl players named finalists for NFL’s Salute to Service Award
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USAA on Thursday announced the three finalists for the NFL’s Salute to Service Award, and a dynasty in San Francisco could be on the rise.
After 49ers star George Kittle took home the award last year, Christian McCaffrey is among three finalists for the league’s award, along with Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson and Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones as the finalists — Jones was a finalist last year, as well.
“The finalists for the 15th Annual Salute to Service Award presented by USAA have used their platforms to be exceptional advocates for the military community, reminding us that service doesn’t stop when the uniform comes off,” Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Bob Whittle, Senior Vice President and Head of Military Affairs at USAA, said in a release.
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Christian McCaffrey, Jake Ferguson and Aaron Jones are this year’s Salute to Service Award finalists. (, G Fiume, and John Fisher/Getty Images)
“The NFL and USAA applaud Jake Ferguson, Aaron Jones, and Christian McCaffrey as deserving finalists who have demonstrated exactly what the award stands for — using the power of football to connect with, empower, appreciate and uplift our service members, veterans and their families.”
McCaffrey launched 23 and Troops in 2021 to focus on post-traumatic stress and athlete-level care for veterans. The foundation has raised $700,000 for military support and paid off holiday layaway for 515 military families.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) celebrates his touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Santa Clara, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Ferguson has partnered with USAA to visit local military bases and supported the National Medal of Honor Museum, including an event in 2024 in which 900 students joined in person and thousands more virtually.
Jones grew up in a military household. His father, Alvin, served 29 years in the Army, while his mother, Vurgess, served for 27. Jones’ older brother, Xavier, serves in the Air Force. Jones and his twin brother, Alvin Jr., founded the A&A All the Way Foundation in 2020 to support the youth of military families.
The winner will be announced at NFL Honors in San Francisco on Feb. 5, the same night the MVP, Offensive and Defensive Players and Rookies, and Coach of the Year will be crowned.
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a touchdown with Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter in the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 10, 2023, in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Whittle and Kittle will be among those on the judging panel for the award.
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Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Dominiq Ponder died this weekend, the team’s head coach Deion Sanders confirmed on Sunday with a social media post.
“God please comfort the Ponder family, friends and loved ones,” Sanders wrote on social media. “Dom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Let’s pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord you’re receiving a good 1. Comfort us Lord Comfort us.”
Ponder was 23 years old.
Details of Ponder’s death are not yet known.
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Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his team warm up before an NCAA college football game against TCU Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo)
Ponder, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound signal caller, joined the Buffaloes and “Coach Prime’s” program in 2024 after spending time at Bethune-Cookman before making his way to Boulder.
Last season, Ponder played just two games for the Buffaloes while serving in his backup role. He recorded two rush attempts and one pass attempt.
The Opa Locka, Fla., native also received tribute from a fellow quarterback with the Buffaloes, Colton Allen.
Bethune-Cookman QB Dominiq Ponder takes a snap during the Wildcats’ spring game Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Daytona Stadium. (IMAGN)
“Dom, you were a blessing to so many people,” Allen wrote on Instagram. “You had a presence about you that just made everything better. You brought so much joy to me and everyone around you. I’m grateful for every lift, every practice, every rep, every conversation we got to share. I’ll carry those with me for the rest of my life.”
Ponder was going to be a part of Colorado’s spring practices, which are set to begin on Monday. It’s unknown if Sanders will postpone the start due to Ponder’s passing.
Ponder also received a tribute from the University of Central Florida.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his players warm up before an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (Tyler Tate/AP Photo)
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“Our prayers are with Dominiq and the Ponder family along with all in the Colorado football program,” the university’s football account on X wrote.
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With spring training camps underway, it is time to look at the state of baseball. As part of our 2026 MLB season preview, ESPN’s Buster Olney surveyed those around the industry to help him rank the top 10 players at every position.
The objective of this exercise is to identify the best players for the 2026 season, not who might be best in five years or over their career. Who will be the best pitchers to take the mound this season? Who are the game’s most powerful hitters in 2026? And how do marquee positions like shortstop and center field shake out?
We rolled out a position per day over two weeks: starting pitchers, relievers, catchers, first basemen, second basemen, third basemen, shortstops, corner outfielders, center fielders and designated hitters.
Who are the best players today? Check out who makes the list at every position.
Top 10 starting pitchers
The question seems simple: Who is the best starting pitcher in MLB, Tarik Skubal or Paul Skenes? But this was a debate that confounded evaluators more than any other. See our top 10 »
Top 10 relief pitchers
MLB bullpens are loaded with flamethrowers again in 2026 — but there’s not really any doubt who’s No. 1 among relievers. See our top 10 »
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Seattle’s Cal Raleigh set the standard for hard-hitting catchers with a historic 2025 season. Can anyone beat him out for the top spot? See our top 10 »
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The battle for the top spot on our list at first base is between a veteran star coming off a dominant October and a young slugger who could be the talk of MLB in 2026. Which player is the best of the best? See our top 10 »
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This year’s second basemen include accomplished veterans, young stars and players still new to the position. Here are the best of the best. See our top 10 »
Top 10 third basemen
The hot corner boasts stars like Jose Ramirez, Alex Bregman, Manny Machado, Bo Bichette, Carlos Correa and more. Where do they all land among the top 10 at the position? See our top 10 »
Top 10 shortstops
The shortstop position is full of big-name stars: Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson, Geraldo Perdomo, Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager and Mookie Betts, to name a few. But which one earned the top spot at the premier infield position? See our top 10 »
Top 10 corner outfielders
The outfield corners are loaded with future Hall of Famers, fast-rising young players and two sluggers who share a city. See our top 10 »
Top 10 center fielders
Center field is a spot ruled by some of baseball’s young stars — but which one of them sits atop our list? See our top 10 »
Top 10 designated hitters
You might be able to guess the superstar atop the list of the best designated hitters in baseball for 2026 — but who else joins him in our ranking? See our top 10 »
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