The Las Vegas Raiders have selected Air Force veteran Najja Williams as the team's nominee for the 2025 Salute to Service Award presented by USAA. This award recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni who make exceptional efforts to honor and support military and veteran communities.
Williams, who works as the chief engineer and facilities manager at Raiders Headquarters, served with distinction for 16 years as a Nuclear Missile and Space Facilities Superintendent and Military Drill Instructor. He considers his position now at the Raiders facilities as a "direct translation" from duties within the Air Force.
"I'm still very emotional about it because usually this is an award you see on the players side," Williams said of his nomination. "To be in the same category with players, coaches, alumni, it's very humbling for me. There's other veterans [working] with the Raiders or at the stadium, the fact that the team decided to choose me to represent them for this nomination is extremely humbling."
Williams has been with the Raiders organization for five years and has made significant contributions in the Raiders' Flown Flags for Deployed Military initiative. Under his guidance, American and Raiders flags flown above the team's headquarters are ceremoniously folded by veteran Raiders staff. Those flags are then sent off in care packages to deployed service members around the world.
"That's something with my military background, especially with doing honor guard, I was not only able to bridge the gap with my military career of missiles and space but also with my current job of being chief engineer and with my volunteer work," Williams said.
Fans can vote to help determine three finalists for the award from each of the 32 NFL teams. To cast your vote, visit NFL.com/SaluteFanVote from now until Nov. 30. The winner will be recognized at NFL Honors during the week of Super Bowl LX.
The Raiders visited Matt Kelly Elementary School and Richard H. Bryan Elementary School to connect with students and staff during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up.
Raiderette Sloane speaks to students during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raiderette Pip speaks to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raider Rusher gives a fist bump to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raider Rusher gives a fist bump to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raider Rusher visits a classroom during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Las Vegas Raiders coordinator of football development Chris Shelby speaks to students during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raider Rusher gives a fist bump to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raider Rusher gives a high-five to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raiderette Sloane visits a classroom during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raiderette Sloane hugs a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raider Rusher hugs a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raider Rusher gives a high-five to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raider Rusher hands out a keychain to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raiderette Pip speaks to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Las Vegas Raiders director of marketing communications Nell Warkoski hands out Raiders gear to students during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raiderette Pip hugs a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raider Rusher gives a high-five to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raider Rusher gives a high-five to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raiderette Pip speaks to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Matt Kelly Elementary School.
Raiderettes Sloane and Pip speak to students during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
Raiderettes Pip and Sloane and Raider Rusher pose for a photo with a class during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
Raiderette Pip hugs a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
Raider Rusher gives a high-five to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
Raiderette Pip speaks to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
Raider Rusher gives a high-five to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
Raider Rusher and Raiderettes Pip and Sloane speak to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
Raider Rusher hugs a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
Raider Rusher visits a classroom during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
Raider Rusher gives a high-five to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
Raiderette Sloane visits a classroom during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
Raiderette Sloane speaks to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
Raiderettes Sloane and Pip speak to students during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
Raider Rusher gives a high-five to a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
Raider Rusher hugs a student during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
Raiderette Sloane poses for a photo with students during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
Raider Rusher poses for a photo with students during a 'Lil Raiders Pop-Up at Richard H. Bryan Elementary School.
