Colts punter Pat McAfee a finalist for Salute to Service Award

It was a rough season on the field for the Indianapolis Colts in 2015, but they could still have a presence at next weekend's NFL Honors show.  Punter Pat McAfee is one of two finalists for the fifth annual Salute to Service Award, along with Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson.  The winner will be announced on Saturday, February 6, at the NFL Honors show.

"I am absolutely honored to be named a finalist for the NFL's Salute to Service Award," McAfee said.  "Giving back to our military servicemen and women has always been a priority for me.

"These courageous heroes sacrifice so much to protect our freedom and the greatest country in the world.  They deserve all of our appreciation and gratitude and I'm thrilled to be in a position where I can give back to those who are most deserving."

The Salute to Service Award is presented by the NFL and USAA and honors a player who shows support to the military community.  McAfee is very charitable in a number of ways in and around Indianapolis, but one of the most notable ways he helps out is through the Pat McAfee Foundation, which provides scholarship assistance to the children of U.S. military personnel.  He does a number of things to support military members and their families, such as raising money, donating money, donating tickets and lending his time.  McAfee hosts an annual Red, White, & Boomstick Gala to raise funds and has also partnered with Wish for Our Heroes, which grants wishes and provides resources to members of the military.  It is the third straight year in which McAfee has been the Colts' nominee for the Salute to Service Award, and last year he was a semi-finalist.

The winner of this year's Award will join Jared Allen (2014), John Harbaugh (2013), Charles Tillman (2012), and the late "Bud" Adams (2011) as recipients, but regardless of whether it's McAfee or Jackson taking home the Award, both (as well as the other 30 nominees) are to be commended for their support of our armed forces.