The Green Bay Packers have nominated defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness as their 2026 Salute to Service Award nominee. Each year, the award recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni who have demonstrated a commitment to honoring and supporting military and veteran communities.
Growing up with several family members who served in the military, including his grandfather who earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army during his 27-year career, the importance of honoring and thanking service members was instilled in Van Ness at a young age.
Van Ness began to make an impact on the military community soon after the Packers selected him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, he connected with local veterans through a "Huddle for Heroes" event, answering questions and spending time with the veterans to personally thank them for their service. He also wrote letters to be sent to active-duty military members to encourage and empower them while on deployment. During the Packers' 2026 military appreciation initiatives, Van Ness will assist a family grieving the loss of a loved one who served. He will join them to assemble and paint a flag to honor their fallen soldier.
Van Ness is also the Packers' 2026 Salute to Service campaign spokesperson, helping to raise awareness of the initiative and ways fans can get involved to support military members and veterans.
Fans have an opportunity to vote and help determine the award's three finalists. To cast your vote for Van Ness, visit NFL.com/SaluteFanVote. From now until November 30, fans can submit one vote per day. Finalists of the award will be announced in January, and the recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally in February during the week of Super Bowl LXI. The winner of the award will be honored with a $25,000 donation in the recipient's name to official aid societies representing all U.S. military branches, and the NFL Foundation will match the contribution by donating an additional $25,000 to the recipient's military nonprofit charity of choice.
The Salute to Service Award is part of the NFL's year-round commitment to recognize and honor the military and veteran community. Through the Salute to Service initiative, the NFL and its 32 teams come together to honor, empower and connect with service members, veterans and their families. Salute to Service will come to life in NFL stadiums across the country during Weeks 9 – 11 of the regular season through on-field branding and other game day activations. Visit NFL.com/Salute to learn more.
