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Atlanta Falcons guard Ben Garland and former Detroit Lions quarterback Eric Hipple are the finalists for the NFL’s Salute To Service Award.The recipient of the award White Jahlani Tavai Jersey , presented by USAA, will be revealed on Feb. 2 during the NFL Honors show when The Associated Press announces its annual league awards, including MVP.Garland and Hipple were selected for their efforts to support members of the military community.USAA, a provider of insurance and other services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families, will contribute $25,000 in the award recipient’s honor to the official aid societies representing all five military branches. The NFL will match USAA’s donation to the award recipient’s military charity of choice.Garland attended the Air Force Academy and just completed his fifth pro season. He recently was selected to become a major in the Colorado Air National Guard.Garland is involved with helping veterans adjust to life after service and helping to raise awareness for PTSD. Last year, he participated in the Armed Forces Mission’s Georgia LOSS Walk, when he walked alongside veterans, service members and families for a program called “Turning the Tide on Veteran Suicide.”Participating in the military taught Garland lessons that have helped him as an athlete and vice versa.“Serving in the Air National Guard has been paramount to my development as a football player,” he said. “It has helped my leadership skills, mental toughness, how to work under pressure, and establish an Air Force core values mindset of integrity first, service before self Jahlani Tavai Jersey Mens , and excellence in all we do. I also believe my NFL career has made me a better officer. Over my career, I have had the opportunity to play for some of the best coaches in the world and in doing so was able to study their leadership methods.”Garland works year-round with a number of military nonprofits: Merging Vets and Players, Emory Healthcare Veterans Program, Shepherd Center SHARE Initiative and TAPS. He works with Pigskin Patriots to help raise funds and donate time for camps for military children and with Children of the Fallen Patriots Foundation on granting college scholarship funds.Hipple retired following the 1989 season after 10 seasons in the NFL. Since his 15-year-old son Jeff’s suicide, Hipple has worked to build awareness and break down the stigma surrounding depressive illnesses.In conjunction with NAVY U.S. Fleet Forces, Hipple has conducted workshops on suicide and destructive behavior prevention during the last decade, focusing on mental fitness. His book “Real Men Do Cry” received a publisher Presidential Award.After retiring from the University of Michigan’s Comprehensive Depression Center, where he spent 11 years in outreach, Hipple serves as outreach specialist for Eisenhower Center’s “After The Impact” program, a neuro-behavioral residential treatment facility serving military veterans and former NFL players.“There are many similarities when working with military and NFL players in regards to their mental health,” he said. “Pressure of training, stress, performance, winning and the mission comes first and at all costs, risk of injury. Most of all Kenny Golladay Jersey , it is retaining their identity and locker room camaraderie after a career is over. Some of the pitfalls are depression, PTSD and substance abuse.”Hipple does suicide prevention workshops for U.S. Fleet Forces on Navy bases and Naval Air stations on the East Coast, in Europe and the Middle East. He has been involved with the planning of the Real Warrior Campaign of Army suicide prevention and organized public service announcements with players supporting service members. In 2008, Hipple helped organize with the players’ union for NFL Legends to speak at Army bases throughout Texas, New York, Georgia and Mississippi during the NFL playoffs, and for the Real Warrior Campaign’s presentations place at Okinawa Marine base in Japan.Last October, the 32 NFL clubs nominated coaches, active and retired players, and team executives and personnel who best demonstrated support for the military community. Submissions were evaluated by a panel of judges, including last year’s award recipient, former Atlanta Falcons and current New York Jets receiver Andre Roberts, a 2018 All-Pro kick returner.Other previous winners were Falcons coach Dan Quinn, Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson, Bears defensive end Jared Allen Michael Roberts Jersey , Ravens coach John Harbaugh, Bears defensive back Charles Tillman and Titans owner Bud Adams. DETROIT (AP) — Ndamukong Suh is looking forward to facing the Detroit Lions for the first time, giving him a chance to visit with friends and to dine at some new restaurants they have told him about.“I love the city of Detroit,” said Suh, who spent the first five years of his career with the Lions. “I spend my time in the offseason there. Got great people that I communicate with and see. Great business town. There’s a lot of people that I consider mentors that are there.”While Suh was quick to share his genuine affection for the Motor City, he chuckled when asked for his feelings about the franchise.“I’ll refrain from my comments about the organization,” he said.Detroit drafted Suh second overall eight years ago and gave him a $68 million deal with $40 million guaranteed , hoping he would lead the defense while Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson starred on offense.Suh was the only rookie to earn All-Pro honors in 2010 and he was an All-Pro two more times with the Lions. He helped Detroit end an 11-year postseason drought in 2011 and reach the playoffs again in 2014.Miami, though, was willing to give Suh much more than the Lions were in 2015. The Dolphins signed him to a six-year, $114 million deal with $60 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history at the time.Suh’s stay in Miami didn’t last long. He was cut earlier this year with three years left on his contract, freeing him up to sign a $14 million, one-year deal with the Rams to play alongside star defensive tackle Aaron Donald.Suh has fit in well, playing inside and on the edge for defensive coordinator Wade Philips.“I pride myself on being able to play any position on the defensive line Travis Fulgham Detroit Lions Jersey ,” said Suh, who has 34 tackles and 3½ sacks. “And, if I need to go play linebacker, I’m happy to do so. We’re winning games, so that’s most important to me.”The 31-year-old Suh has not won a division title, but that can change as soon as Sunday.Los Angeles (10-1) can clinch the NFC West championship with a win over the slumping Lions (4-7) at Ford Field.Here’s some things to watch:NEVER SATISFIEDWhile Suh enjoys his homecoming of sorts, Donald will remind the Lions what they’re missing. Detroit drafted tight end Eric Ebron No. 10 overall in 2014, passing on a chance to take Donald. The Rams selected Donald No. 13 overall and he has become one of the league’s best players. Donald has a NFL- and career-high 14½ sacks, surpassing the 11 he had last season when he was the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year.“The best part about Aaron is the first thing he’ll say is that he can always improve,” Rams coach Sean McVay said.RUN AROUNDDetroit’s defense has had a dramatic turnaround against the run, becoming the league’s only team to hold three straight opponents to fewer than 60 yards rushing this season.After ranking last in rushing defense earlier this year, the Lions are No. 14 and Damon “Snacks” Harrison seems to have a lot to do with the turnaround. Detroit acquired Harrison from the New York Giants for a fifth-round pick.“The problem is that as the season goes on, it becomes more and more difficult to stop the run,” Lions coach Matt Patricia said.“We obviously have another huge problem this week with the run game with the Rams. Todd Gurley is one of the best backs in the league.”READY TO ROLLGurley has 1,043 yards rushing Travis Fulgham Jersey 2019 , trailing only Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott. He had a touchdown in 13 consecutive games, setting a franchise record, before not scoring Nov. 19 during the Rams’ 54-51 win over Kansas City. He is expected to be healthy after having a minor ankle injury early against the Chiefs.SAY WHAT?Lions receiver Bruce Ellington gave a startling answer when asked if his hamstring was healthy.“I don’t know if it’s fully recovered because they removed it,” he said. “I don’t have it anymore.”Ellington had a severe injury that kept him out for all of 2016 and limited him earlier this season in Houston. Ellington said he had one of his hamstring muscles removed two years ago, following a procedure recommended by former Texans receiver Andre Johnson .“They say if you keep it, it’s going to keep scarring up,” Ellington recalled doctors telling him.The 5-foot-9 Ellington said he’s explosive enough to dunk a basketball and to do his job with the Lions, who signed him after they traded Golden Tate to Philadelphia. He has ended up playing an even larger role because Marvin Jones is on injured reserve. Ellington has matched his career high with six catches in each of his two games in Detroit.HELP ON THE WAYDetroit is preparing to play against veteran cornerback Aqib Talib , who has been out since Week 3 with an ankle injury.“They have great players on the defense, and are getting another great player back this week,” Patricia said.