Broncos Tight End Andrew Beck Celebrates a Touchdown against the Raiders (Photo: Icon Sportswire/Getty Images)
Broncos Fullback/Tight End Andrew Beck won the USAA Salute to Service Award at NFL Honors, Thursday. Beck son of U.S. Army Brigadier General, Christopher Beck. He has been the Broncos nominee for the award the last 2 seasons. The younger Beck was nominated alongside Bears Tight End Jimmy Graham and Ravens legend Jarrett Johnson.
"To win this award means so much to me. Working with the military and giving back to them is something I’m passionate about,” Beck said via statement released by the Broncos. “I grew up in a military family, so I know the things that they go through. My dad [who is in the military] is such a big role model to me. This will be a memory I cherish for the rest of my life.”
Beck's dedication to serving the military became evident soon after joining the organization during the 2019 season.
Over the past 3 years, he has partnered with America's Gold Star Families, Buckley Space Force Base, Fort Carson Army Base, Freedom Service Dogs, TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), USO Colorado, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Volunteers of America: Colorado and Wounded Warrior Project.
In total, he's reached more than 425 military families through his strategic outreach. Despite cancellations, protocols and restrictions, Beck refused to let the pandemic impact his commitment to support the military.
In November of 2020, he assembled Salute to Service care packages for military bases across Colorado and helped host a virtual visit with Wounded Warrior Project veterans. During the 2021 offseason, Beck participated in a virtual visit with Buckley Space Force Base and USO Colorado to celebrate WingMan Week, a program dedicated to strengthening connection, relaxation, and the rejuvenation of the fighting spirit.
While volunteering at a Salute to Service PLAY 60 Clinic in 2019, Beck learned that kids drove from Fort Carson Army Base in Colorado Springs. Beck's face immediately lit up, as he had played high school football in the area while his dad, Chris, a colonel in the U.S. Army, was stationed at the same base. Beck knows firsthand the sacrifices military families make to serve our nation. That is why he hosted a barbeque for Fort Carson military families in partnership with USO Colorado, and helped host a pizza party and game night for kids at the Buckley Space Force Base Youth Center.
He chose to represent America's Gold Star Families for My Cause My Cleats in 2019 and 2020, auctioning off his cleats to raise funds to sponsor America's Gold Star Families annual 5K Run/1 Mile Walk for Fallen Heroes. In 2021, Beck expanded his support for the military by partnering with Freedom Service Dogs of America on multiple initiatives. For My Cause My Cleats, Beck supported Freedom Service Dogs’ Operation Freedom program, which helps veterans and active-duty military find a new level of confidence and independence with the help of specially trained service dogs. In addition to auctioning his cleats to raise funds for the program, Beck has volunteered multiple times over the past few months with Freedom Service Dogs to meet with veterans paired with service dogs and help socialize puppies for future therapy and service dog placement.