During the week of Veterans Day, the NFL's Salute to Service campaign will once again shine a spotlight on those Americans who've worn their country's uniform. On November 13th, the New York Jets (2-7) and New England Patriots (8-2) will face off on the latest edition of Amazon Prime's "Thursday Night Football." The Jets, wearing their classic green and white uniforms, will travel to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, looking to upset the favored Patriots, who will take the field clad in new "Nor'Easter" NFL Nike Rivalries uniforms.
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(NFL)
Numerous spectators wearing their favorite teams' jerseys will be on hand this week to watch this AFC East rivalry matchup that pits a New England team, looking to establish a new identity after the departure of Super Bowl legends Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, against a New York franchise that has struggled to put together a winning season since 2015. Despite the ill feelings that exist between some football partisans, there is one uniform that brings even the most bitter sports rivals together: the uniform of the American servicemember.
Thursday night's matchup will kick off just two days after Americans pause to honor and celebrate military veterans for their service and sacrifice. As part of this year's Salute to Service lineup, Amazon and the NFL have partnered with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS) and its philanthropic arm, the Medal of Honor Foundation, to highlight a message that extends far beyond the game itself.
The pre-game broadcast will spotlight how the Medal of Honor's legacy continues to inspire new generations of Americans through stories of courage, integrity, and sacrifice. Since its creation by the Abraham Lincoln administration in 1861, the nation's highest military award for valor has embodied courage, sacrifice, integrity, and patriotism in defense of freedom and others. In a time when our country can feel divided, the Medal of Honor remains a rare emblem of unity, reminding Americans that heroism transcends background, belief, and rank.
This feature will focus on retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts , one of just 61 living Medal of Honor Recipients, and Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones , the son of a 32-year Army veteran. Together, they'll share a message that transcends uniforms: service, in any form, is what binds us as a nation.
For Pitts, a proud New England native, this partnership hits close to home. Growing up just a short drive from where the Patriots play, he understands how deeply football is woven into the region's identity. A lifelong fan of the game, Pitts now channels that same competitive spirit into coaching his son's football team, continuing to lead, teach, and inspire long after hanging up his Army uniform.
A native of Nashua, New Hampshire, Pitts enlisted in the Army in January 2003 at the age of 17. The new recruit then attended basic training and advanced individual training (AIT) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Holding the military occupational specialty of Forward Observer (13F), Pitts attended the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, before serving in assignments with the 4th Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment and 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, both of the 173rd Airborne Brigade at Camp Ederle in Vicenza, Italy, between 2004 and 2009.
Pitts in Afghanistan. (Congressional Medal of Honor Society)
During his time with the 173rd, Pitts deployed twice to Afghanistan, in 2005 and 2007. During his second deployment, Pitts earned the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Wanat, Afghanistan on July 13, 2008. When his small observation post came under heavy attack by more than 200 insurgents, he was critically wounded but refused evacuation. Alone and unable to stand, he continued to fight, throwing grenades at close range, calling in indirect fire by radio, and holding the line until reinforcements arrived. His actions prevented the enemy from overrunning the position and saved countless lives.
Pitts received the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama on July 24, 2014 in a ceremony at the White House, becoming one of 28 servicemembers who received this honor during the Global War on Terrorism. He is also one of three Medal of Honor recipients who served in the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment; the other two being Salvatore Giunta and Kyle J. White.
President Barack Obama awards former Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts the Medal of Honor during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., July 21, 2014. (U.S. Army/Sgt. Laura Buchta)
Following his military service, Pitts earned a bachelor's degree in business from the University of New Hampshire at Manchester and began a successful career in corporate business development. Yet he remains deeply involved in mentoring, speaking, and representing the CMOHS's mission to inspire future generations.
Jones, drafted by New England in 2022 out of the University of Houston, has spent his entire professional career in a Patriots uniform. Growing up with a father who spent three decades in the Army, the 27-year-old has embraced the values of discipline, adaptability, and gratitude to help guide him on and off the football field.
Meeting Pitts left a lasting impression on the football player.
"Hearing his story and learning about the Medal of Honor reminded me that courage, integrity, and selflessness aren't limited to the battlefield. Those same values drive how I play, how I lead, and how I try to show up for others every day. Young men and women need to see that this is where the good stuff is—character, accountability, and being there for something bigger than yourself."
Their collaboration reflects what the Salute to Service campaign is all about, showing that the values embodied in the Medal of Honor are not confined to combat. Whether on a football field, in a classroom, or in everyday life, service and character define what it truly means to lead.
New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones celebrates an interception in the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium on October 19, 2025. (Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Through the NFL's partnership with the CMOHS and the Medal of Honor Foundation, this week's broadcast will highlight the Society's Character Development Program (CDP), an educational initiative that brings the stories of Medal of Honor recipients into classrooms nationwide. The program gives teachers tools to help students understand how courage, integrity, and service above self can be practiced in their own lives.
Pitts often shares those lessons firsthand.
"Whether I am speaking to students, meeting young service members, or coaching on the sidelines of my son's football game, I see service as something that transcends wearing a uniform. It's about leadership and the choices we make every day to put others before ourselves, lessons that the Society's Character Development Program helps instill in classrooms and communities across the country."
Established in 1958, the CMOHS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the sole organization chartered by Congress to protect the legacy of the Medal of Honor and those who wear it. Composed exclusively of living recipients, the society safeguards the integrity of the medal and ensures that the stories of courage and sacrifice behind it continue to inspire all Americans to live and lead with honor. The Medal of Honor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to support and advance the mission of the CMOHS. As the society's fundraising and philanthropic arm, the foundation exists to honor and preserve the legacy of the Medal of Honor by providing essential financial resources that sustain its programs and extend its reach.
The CMOHS is one of several veteran-focused organizations the NFL has partnered with through its Salute to Service initiative. Others include the USO, Wounded Warrior Project, and the Pat Tillman Foundation, all of which share the goal of honoring sacrifice and inspiring service. The league also has a proud history of players who served, from Chuck Bednarik and Roger Staubach to Rocky Bleier and Alejandro Villanueva. Among them, Pat Tillman stands out as one of the most revered. The former Arizona Cardinals safety, who left the NFL to serve with the elite Army Rangers, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2004.
New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones with Medal of Honor recipient Ryan Pitts. (Courtesty of CMOHS)
As the Patriots and Jets take the field, millions will tune in to see more than a rivalry. They'll see a reminder that courage and integrity are not bound by a uniform, and that the spirit of service continues to define the best of who we are.
During this NFL broadcast, and throughout the month of November, viewers can text HONOR to 345345 to support the Society's mission to honor the past and inspire the future.
Reflecting on this mission, Pitts summed it up best:
"I am grateful to Amazon and the New England Patriots for giving us the opportunity to share why this mission matters, to remind Americans that the values behind the Medal of Honor belong to all of us, and they continue to light the way forward."
By Miguel Ortiz
