Cardinals Nominate Dennis Gardeck for Salute to Service Award

ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals have officially announced LB Dennis Gardeck as their nomination for the Salute to Service Award. 

More from the NFL on the what Salute to Service is:

"Salute to Service represents the NFL's unwavering dedication to honoring, empowering, and connecting with our nation's service members, veterans, and their families. It is grounded in deep partnerships with the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF), Pat Tillman Foundation (PTF), Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), United Service Organizations (USO) and Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). Since 2011, more than $66 million has been raised for these Salute to Service partners."

Gardeck, a team captain, has four sacks on the season thus far. 

His nomination bio reads as follows:

"Dennis honors the sacrifices made by active-duty military by giving his time to organizations shining a light on our valued men and women of the armed forces. Together with veterans and active-duty military personnel, Dennis supported several in-person activations in Arizona, creating buzz around the military community and NFL's Salute to Service initiative.

"These memorable activations impacted thousands of veterans, and active-duty military. Dennis Gardeck participates in several activations each year that connects Arizona's military with the NFL community. Through Cardinals Charities, Dennis and his teammates improved the quality of life for children and adults, with purposeful physical training to improve their quality of life by participating in kids' camps and football combines on bases around Arizona.

"Dennis and his teammates also participate with homeless veterans through MANA House in Phoenix, Arizona helping them receive new technology, beds, and other necessities needed to get reconnected with society. He recently partnered with Helping Hands for Freedom, TAPS, and Goldstar families to EMPOWER service members' families that are impacted by the deployment of their loved ones. Dennis also provided these families with the most valuable item of all, his time. Dennis took the time during each activation to sit down and talk with each veteran and active-duty personnel attending.

"Dennis also recently took flight in an F-16, right alongside F-16 and F-35 Pilots at Luke AFB in Glendale, AZ."

Past recipients of the award: Ron Rivera (2023), Andrew Beck (2022), Steve Cannon (2021), Dan Quinn (2020), Donnie Edwards (2019), Ben Garland (2018), Andre Roberts (2017), Dan Quinn (2016), Vincent Jackson (2015), Jared Allen (2014), John Harbaugh (2013), Charles Tillman (2012), and the late Tennessee Titans owner, K.S. “Bud” Adams, a WWII veteran (2011).

This year is an opportunity for fans to vote for their favorite nominee, which will help determine the award’s three finalists. To vote, fans can visit NFL.com/SaluteFanVote from now until November 30.