Alejandro Villanueva is no stranger to receiving distinctions for his service to America's armed forces. As a Captain in the U.S. Army, the Steelers tackle was awarded several accolades, including the Bronze Star Medal for Valor and the National Defense Service Medal, for his service in Afghanistan during three deployments from 2010 to 2013.
Now, on the eve of his first AFC Championship Game with Pittsburgh, Villanueva has once again been singled out for his commitment to military causes. Along with Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn (himself on the eve of his first NFC Championship Game with the Falcons), Villanueva is a finalist for the NFL's Salute to Service award, given out every season by the USAA, the league's official military appreciation sponsor.