The Jets will honor active and retired military members during Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers as part of the NFL's Salute to Service initiative. Each year, NFL teams choose a game in November to recognize individuals who have protected our country and those that continue to do so.
The game is not only special for the members of the armed forces that are in attendance, but also the players, many of whom have active and retired servicemen and women in their families. Sixteen Jets players have ties to the military.
"I appreciate the NFL for recognizing what they do. They are the heroes of our country. They put their lives on the line. I just play to honor them," said LB Demario Davis. Davis has three family members, including his father, who are active duty.
Here is the full list of Jets with family members in the military:
WR Robby Anderson – Grandfather, Aunt, Uncle
OL Kelvin Beachum – Grandfather, J.W. Beachum (Navy); Uncle, Eric Beachum (Navy); Uncle, Ken Beachum (Marines); Uncle, Reggie Beachum (National Guard); Uncle, Virgil Beachum (National Guard)
S Terrence Brooks – Uncle, Darcel Stevens (Army)
CB Juston Burris – Great Grandfather, Charles Hughes (Army); Grandfather, Paul Davis (Air Force); Cousin, Keith Cephus (Navy)
K Chandler Catanzaro – Great Uncle, Emmett "Junior" Pope (Army Pathfinder – KIA, Vietnam); Grandfather, Joe Hugh Jackson (Air Force); Grandfather, Marshall Catanzaro (Air Force); Robert Ries (Air Force – WWII)
LB Demario Davis – Father, Steven Davis (Army – active); Cousin, Curtis Magee (Marines – active); Cousin, Mesi Bourn (Army – active)
Demario Davis, Josh McCown and Chad Hansen and Jets Personnel Pay a Visit to Fort Hamilton Leading Up to the Salute to Service Game
DL Kony Ealy – Father, Willie Ealy (Air Force)
P Lachlan Edwards – Cousin (KIA – Royal Australian Engineer in the Australian Army); Grandfather (Royal Australian Engineer in the Australian Army)
RB Matt Forte – Uncle, June (Army)
QB Christian Hackenberg – Uncle, Justen Hackenberg (Army)
LB Jordan Jenkins – Father, Ronald Jenkins (Army); Brother, Marcel Jenkins (Navy)
LB Darron Lee – Mother, Candice Lee (Navy), Grandfather, Larry Lee (Navy)
S Marcus Maye – Grandfather, Clarence Williams
DL Steve McLendon – Aunt, Wendy McLendon; Cousin, Brandon Newman; Cousin, Louis Martin; Brother-in-law, Emmanuel Stephenson (Navy)
DL Mike Pennel – Sister, Justine Pennel (Navy – active)
LB Julian Stanford – Brother, Joe Stanford III (Air Force)
