NEW YORK, Sept. 5, 2019– FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), the Official Delivery Service Sponsor of the NFL, announced today that the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week and Players of the Year Awards will return for the 2019-2020 season.
The FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards is a fan-voted program highlighting the week’s best quarterback and running back performances. Each week, FedEx donates $2,000 through FedEx Cares to the USO in the winning players’ names, totaling $4,000. These donations support USO Pathfinder®, which provides resources and personalized services to assist service members and military spouses in their transition back to civilian life.
FedEx Cares is a global community engagement program with the aim of connecting people and possibilities around the globe. Launched in 2019, FedEx Cares 50 by 50 has set the ambitious goal of positively impacting 50 million people around the world by the company’s 50th anniversary in 2023.
Two-time FedEx Air NFL Player of the Year award winner Carson Palmer will return this season as program spokesperson. “I know how important this program is to helping the USO, a great organization that assists service members as they transition back to civilian life,” said Palmer. “I had a blast as spokesperson last year, and am proud to be returning in the same role this year, raising awareness of the donation FedEx makes each week to the USO in the name of the best running and quarterback performances.”
Also returning this season is the FedEx Football Fellowship, a collaboration of FedEx, the USO, Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans to provide on-the-job career experiences to four retiring service members, during a season-long internship. Fellowship participants will gain firsthand insights into the day-to-day workings of an NFL organization.
“FedEx is honored to continue its support of the USO for the fourth consecutive year through the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Player of the Week Awards. These awards give football fans and local communities the chance give back to our service members,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, senior vice president, Integrated Marketing and Communications, FedEx. “We are especially excited to continue the FedEx Football Fellowship for the second year, which will once again help four veterans acquire skills and experiences as they transition to civilian careers.”
Following Monday Night Football, 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.
“FedEx is leveraging football, on and off the field, to help the USO in our mission to support and strengthen service members, throughout their military journey,” said Chad Hartman, USO Vice President of Development and Corporate Alliances. “Through the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards and the FedEx Football Fellowship, FedEx is making a real difference in helping our men and women in uniform transition from military service back to civilian life and we are very grateful for their continued support.”
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 at NFL Honors in the lead-up to Super Bowl LIII in Miami Gardens, Florida.
For more information, visit nfl.com/fedex or follow the conversation on Twitter at #AirAndGround.
The USO is a longstanding partner of the NFL’s Salute to Service initiative, helping the league to honor, empower and connect service members and their families.