EAGAN, Minn. – Aaron Jones, Sr., wasn't expecting to break down the huddle following Thursday's practice.
And he especially wasn't expecting the news Head Coach Kevin O'Connell delivered to the huddle just beforehand: Jones has been selected as the Vikings nominee for the 2024 NFL Salute to Service Award.
Jones initially was speechless. The running back had previously been the Packers 2023 nominee for the honor, even making it to the final group of candidates, but said he hadn't anticipated being nominated during his first year in Minnesota.
"To even be in consideration when [Army graduate] Andre [Carter II] and [Air Force alum] Bo [Richter] are service members, it's amazing," Jones said, "and it shows me that what my family and I are doing with our foundation for military families doesn't go unnoticed."
Founded in 2020 by Jones and his twin brother Alvin, Jr., the A&A All the Way Foundation emphasizes the support of youth in military families.
Jones consistently honors current and former U.S. Military members – including his late father, Alvin Jones, Sr., who served 29 years in the U.S. Army and mother, Vurgess, who served 27 years, both of them retiring as sergeant majors; as well as his older brother, Xavier, who serves in the U.S. Air Force.
Jones often calls on his own childhood experience, when his parents were deployed to Iraq and he saw firsthand the sacrifices made to serve one's country, in extending care and support to young people of military families.
He recalled being in first or second grade and going to the airport hangars to send his father off to Iraq – and then three months later, his mother.
"I'll never forget that – seeing all the families' long faces as they sent their loved ones off," Jones said. "I remember my grandpa came, he was a truck driver, and he picked up my mom's van and drove us to Virginia – me, my brother and our older sister."
The three of them stayed during the week with his mom's side of the family and then on the weekends with his dad's side.
"It was a lot of back and forth, but the positive is we got to spend so much time with family," Jones said.
Alvin Sr. and Vurgess did multiple tours overseas, but one return especially touches Jones' heart.
"My uncle took us to the airport, but he didn't tell us why, so we're little and like, 'OK, why are we at the airport?' We're just walking, walking, and suddenly we see my dad," Jones recalled. "Me and my brother just take off, and that might be the only time Alvin's ever beat me running. I think it's because he saw Dad first, though.
"It's just those memories I'll never forget," Jones added. "Those were probably the highlights of my childhood, my parents coming back from Iraq or Afghanistan. [If they] came back during the day, we wouldn't have to go to school that day.
"We would stay home and lay on the couch," he continued. "I remember the first time, we all laid on top of my dad, just hanging out in the dark, and we watched movies together and just enjoyed being with him."
Before every deployment, Alvin Sr. promised his kids he'd be coming home. And he always did.
Those moments stuck with Jones all through growing up and into adulthood, and he revisited the memories in 2021 when his dad grew seriously ill with COVID-19.
"Even when he was fighting COVID, his final day at the hospital, he told us, 'I'm gonna come home,' " Jones said. "And he came home [before he passed]. So I told him, 'Dad, you came back home. You always kept your promise."
Jones' ongoing commitment to the military community connects other families and young people who have experienced the difficulties of deployment, recurring change and relocation, and the uncertainties that often accompany military life.
A&A All the Way holds an annual gala to raise money that empowers military families by providing them with necessary resources and care. Jones and his family have donated their own time and resources to provide military families with joy-filled experiences, such as trips to the zoo or movie nights.
Jones over the years has participated in "Huddle for Heroes" events, penning letters to active-duty military members, and meet-and-greets for TAPS families who have lost loved ones from the military or veteran community. Less than two months after signing with Minnesota in free agency, Jones took part in a visit to the United Heroes League headquarters in Hastings and connected with young people and military members on the Confidence Course.
"I know what it's like to have your parents serve; the family serves, as well," he said. "So being there to take a little bit of that weight off is important to us."
O'Connell and the Vikings are proud to recognize Jones as their Salute to Service nominee, and Jones is equally proud to receive the honor.
"I love representing the military," he said. "Everything it stands for honestly goes hand-in-hand with football. Everybody has to put their race, their religion, their differences aside and come together for one common goal."
Fans have an opportunity to help determine the award's three finalists by casting votes at NFL.com/SaluteFanVote. Beginning today until Nov. 30, Vikings fans can cast one vote daily for Jones. Finalists for the award will be announced in January before the recipient is recognized during the week of Super Bowl LIX.
As the presenting sponsor of the Salute to Service Award, USAA will contribute $25,000 in the recipient's name to official aid societies representing all U.S. military branches. The NFL will match USAA's contribution by donating an additional $25,000 to the awardee's military or veteran charity of choice.
The Salute to Service Award is part of the NFL and USAA's year-round commitment to recognize and honor the military and veteran community. Salute to Service will come to life in NFL stadiums during Weeks 10-13 of the regular season through on-field branding and other game day activations. Visit NFL.com/Salute to learn more.
