Americans have celebrated Veterans Day for 79 years, honoring all those who served honorably in the military, whether during war or peacetime.

Gary Steele, father of ESPN's Sage Steele, became the first African-American to play varsity football at West Point. 

After West Point, Steele went on to serve 23 years in the U.S. Army. 

Steele reminisces about playing for West Point, in the Army vs. Navy game. 

The core values between those who have served in the military and those who have played on the gridiron are often aligned. 

Those values include teamwork, camaraderie, dedication, and selflessness, all of which motivate those to accomplish a common goal, whether it be unit, team or country.

Major Jason Sigler has served four tours in the Middle East, and his son Jacob had plans for Major Sigler when he returned home from deployment a little over a month ago. 

Jacob has waited 220 days to be able to watch a Carolina Panthers game with his dad. Major Sigler, Jacob, and the whole family attend a game and the Panthers organization made it a special, fun-filled event. 

Jacob Sigler wanted to see a Panthers game with his dad.

So we brought the whole family to Charlotte. #SalutetoService pic.twitter.com/YZxwrcPBCo

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 7, 2017

From USA Football, thank you to all the servicemen and women.