Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona is one of three finalists for the NFL’s Salute to Service award, an annual honor for an active or retired league member who best demonstrates support for the military community.

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Cardona is a nine-year NFL starter, who entered the league as a fifth-round pick out of Navy in 2015. As a rookie, he worked as an Ensign in the Navy, and two years later was promoted to lieutenant junior grade. Last offseason, Cardona deployed with his unit to Djibouti, Africa.

In past years, Cardona has organized efforts to donate Patriots game tickets to military members and their families. Cardona has also led free football clinics and toy drives for military children, and presided over more than a dozen re-enlistment and retirement ceremonies at Gillette Stadium.

The Salute to Service winner will be announced and recognized at NFL Honors, a primetime awards special, on Thursday, Feb. 8. Packers running back Aaron Jones and 49ers tight end George Kittle are the other finalists. Every year, all 32 NFL teams nominate one person before the finalists are selected through a fan vote, NFL internal committee and award sponsor USAA.

USAA is a leading insurance provider for U.S. military members, veterans and their families. The company will donate $25,000 in the winner’s honor to the official aid societies representing each of the military branches.