FedEx, NFL turn weekly awards into food bank support

07 / 09 / 2026

By Marwa Nassar - -

FedEx and the NFL have brought back the fan-voted FedEx Air & Ground NFL Awards for the 2026 season, with each weekly award triggering a donation to a local food bank through Feeding America.

24th Season:

The program, now in its 24th year, recognizes standout performances by quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends while supporting communities facing food insecurity.

Each week, six players will be nominated for the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Award. A local food bank in each winning player’s city will receive a donation.

Fans get more ways to vote:

Fans can vote from Monday through Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET on NFL.com/FedEx, the NFL Mobile App, X and, for the first time, Instagram.

The season will culminate with the selection of three FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year, to be announced at NFL Honors ahead of Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles.

Nearly $3 mln donated:

Since the program launched in 2003, FedEx has donated nearly $3 million to nonprofit organizations, including charities and children’s hospitals, in the names of winning players.

The partnership with Feeding America supports its nationwide network of food banks, food pantries, meal programs and other organizations working to expand access to nutritious food.

From performance to impact:

Jenny Robertson, senior vice president of Global Brand and Communications at FedEx, said the program combines fan engagement and recognition of top athletes with support for local communities.

Elizabeth Pettengill, interim vice president of Corporate and Foundation Partnerships at Feeding America, said the partnership turns standout football performances into support for families facing hunger.

The program is a collaboration between FedEx, the NFL and Feeding America.