Linebacker Patrick Queen has been named the Pittsburgh Steelers’ nominee for the 2025 Salute to Service Award, which is presented annually by USAA to recognize NFL players, coaches, alumni, or staff who demonstrate commitment to honoring and supporting military service members.
Queen said his motivation for working with the military comes from a sense of respect. “All the stuff they went through in the past, and then them coming back home and the stuff they go through,” shared Queen. “I feel like we don’t take care of them enough.
“I feel like there are way more opportunities out there for us to be able to help them out when they come back, having places for them and better ways to help them transition away from that type of life that they had to live.
“And just to say thank you. So, my little appreciation with the cleats, there is way more we can do, but it’s just a little token of appreciation.”
Since joining the Steelers in 2024, Queen has taken part in several outreach efforts aimed at veterans. He partnered with the Veterans Leadership Program (VLP), an organization focused on providing housing assistance, career development, wellness services, and other support for military members. Queen supported 100 veterans by supplying hygiene kits and serving breakfast to personally thank them.
This season he is collaborating with Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard. The organization’s mission is to help veterans transition from homelessness and assist at-risk veterans in becoming active contributors in their communities. In November, Queen will again provide hygiene kits for 100 veterans and spend time serving breakfast as part of his ongoing relationship with these groups.
Queen also participates in the My Cause My Cleats program. In 2024 he supported Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) by auctioning off custom cleats to raise funds for families of fallen service members. For 2025 he plans to support Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard through this initiative.
“This is the best country in the world,” said Queen. “The freedom that we have, all of the stuff that we get to do that not most countries get to do and stuff. What I do is just a little token of appreciation.”
Fans can vote for Patrick Queen as a finalist at NFL.com/SaluteFanVote until November 30; one vote per day is allowed. Finalists will be announced in January and the winner recognized during NFL Honors week in February.
The Salute to Service Award has been part of a league-wide effort over 15 seasons by both USAA and the NFL Foundation to honor military personnel and their families. The recipient’s chosen charity receives $25,000 each from USAA and from the NFL Foundation.
The NFL’s Salute to Service initiative runs during Weeks 9-11 across all teams with special events held at stadiums nationwide. The Steelers’ own Salute to Service game will take place on November 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
