NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), the Official Delivery Service Sponsor of the NFL, announced for the 15th season that the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week and Players of the Year Awards will return. This announcement follows the company’s extension in April of its long-running sponsorship with the NFL. The FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week fan-voting program, highlights the week’s best quarterback and running back performances with monetary awards going to the USO, a military support organization dedicated to connecting service members and their families to family, home and country throughout their service to the nation.
New this year, 2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee and former San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson will serve as the primary voice of the program. “I’ve worked with FedEx in the past and have won my fair share of FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week awards,” said Tomlinson. “I’m looking forward to taking on a larger role with the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week program this season.”
Each week during the 2017 NFL season, the top performances by one quarterback and one running back will be voted on by fans to garner the title of the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week. As part of the FedEx Cares program, a $2,000 donation will be given to the USO in each of the winners’ names. These weekly donations assist USO programs that keep service members connected as they depart the military and find a new path in civilian life.
“FedEx is proud to continue its support of the USO through the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Player of the Week Awards, which has grown into an amazing program that allows football fans and local communities to get involved in giving back to our service members,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, senior vice president, FedEx Integrated Marketing and Communications. “The program is part of the FedEx Cares global giving initiative, in which FedEx is committing $200 million to 200 communities around the world by 2020.”
Following Monday Night Football, three quarterbacks and three running backs who display the best passing and rushing performances will be nominated each week on NFL.com. Fans will have until Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET to cast their vote for the FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week Awards at nfl.com/fedex.
Fans can also vote for their FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Week on Twitter by using #AirandGround and listing their nominees’ last name. The FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week winners will be announced each Thursday afternoon prior to Thursday Night Football.
“The USO is honored to be selected for the second consecutive year.as the charity benefitted by the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards. Last year’s funding was critical to supporting transitioning service members in communities across the country,” said Lisa Anastasi, USO chief development officer. “Thanks to FedEx’s generous support, we look forward to being able to support even more service members and their families in 2017.”
At the end of the season, three quarterbacks and three running backs will be nominated for the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year Awards, with the winners announced in the lead-up to Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis.
For more information, visit nfl.com/fedex or follow the conversation on Twitter at @NFL.
About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $60 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 400,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. To learn more about how FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world, please visit about.fedex.com.
About the USO
The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, we are united in our commitment to connect our service members and their families through countless acts of caring, comfort, and support. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs, services and entertainment tours are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff. To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.
