US Army Capt. Nate Degan Chosen as Saints Nominee for 2024 NFL Salute to Service Award

The NFL and USAA, an official partner of the NFL Salute to Service, today announced the 2024 nominees for the annual Salute to Service Award presented by USAA. Each year, the Salute to Service Award recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni who make exceptional efforts to honor and support the military and veterans communities. The Saints 2024 Salute to Service Award nominee is United States Army Capt. Nate Degen, who works in the team’s business operations department.

The Saints hired Captain Degen, a veteran military helicopter pilot, as a member of their staff prior to the start of the season. Degen’s role as fan engagement coordinator focuses on the fan engagement experience within the business operations division. His hiring was a notable first, as both the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans organizations embrace the Department of Defense SkillBridge program, facilitating this collaboration between military and professional sports organizations.

Captain Degen, a veteran Army helicopter pilot, transitions from a military career to the world of sports management. After a successful career in the military, including as an Army athlete on the 2024 Department of Defense Warrior Games team, Captain Degen brought his resilience, adaptability and outstanding leadership skills to both the Saints and Pelicans organizations. After sustaining multiple injuries, he was recovered at the Soldier Recovery Unit at Fort Belvoir, where he prepared for a future beyond the military. His valuable lessons learned from his military service and commitment to excellence, honed through adaptive sports and injury recovery, position him as a valuable asset to the organization.

Fans have the opportunity to vote for their favorite nominee, all selected by their NFL team, to help determine the three finalists for the award. To see all the nominees and vote, go to NFL.com/SaluteFanVote from now until November 30th. Fans can submit one vote per day for their favorite nominee. The three finalists will be announced in January, and the winner will be recognized at the NFL Honors, an awards special that will be held in New Orleans in February and will air nationally the week of Super Bowl LIX.