NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), the Official Delivery Service Sponsor of the NFL, announced that the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week and Players of the Year Awards will return for the 16th season. 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.
Through FedEx Cares, FedEx will make a weekly $2,000 donation to the USO in each of the winners’ names, totaling $4,000 per week. These donations will help support USO PathfinderSM, which provides resources and personalized services to assist former service members and military spouses in their transition back to civilian life.
This year, first overall NFL Draft pick in 2003 and former NFL quarterback Carson Palmer will serve as the primary spokesperson of the program.
“As a two-time winner of the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Year award, it is an honor to be part of this program,” said Palmer. “I am incredibly proud of our military and know how much these weekly donations from FedEx mean to the USO and our service personnel who are transitioning back to civilian life.”
In addition to the annual donations to the USO through the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Awards, FedEx is working with the USO, Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans to create the FedEx Football Fellowship program, which will provide on-the-job professional experiences to four former service members.
“FedEx is honored to continue our support of the USO for the third consecutive year through the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Player of the Week Awards, which encourages football fans to give back to our service members,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, senior vice president, FedEx Integrated Marketing and Communications. “We’re especially excited that part of this year’s weekly donation will help four veterans, through the FedEx Football Fellowship, acquire skills and experiences that serve as pathways to meaningful civilian careers.”
Following Monday Night Football each week, three quarterbacks and three running backs who display the best passing and rushing performances during that game week will be nominated for the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Player of the Week Awards. Fans will have until Thursday at 3 p.m. ET to cast their vote online at nfl.com/fedex and on Twitter and Facebook.
“The USO is proud to again be selected as the beneficiary of FedEx’s generous efforts through the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards,“ said Michael Hoar, USO Vice President of Corporate Alliances. “The funding from this program is vital in supporting transitioning service members and their spouses, and we’re excited to work with FedEx, the Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans to give four transitioning service members the opportunity of a lifetime and insight into the various career paths that support an NFL team on and off the field.”
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 LIII in Atlanta.
Through the FedEx Cares global giving initiative, FedEx is donating $200 million to 200 communities around the world by 2020.
For more information, visit nfl.com/fedex or follow the conversation on Twitter at #AirandGround.
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 $65 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions 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 425,000 team members to remain 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.
