Nino Gray (Community Engagement Manager - Club Staff)
Nino Gray is in his third season managing Seattle Seahawks military engagement programs. He served in the U.S. Army Infantry for 7 years before receiving an honorable discharge after suffering an injury. Following his military service, Nino worked for the Wounded Warrior Project and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. In both organizations he served veterans facing PTSD issues, bringing hope to hundreds. He has carried that same dedication into his role with the Seahawks. Nino represents the best in terms of the NFL's commitment to "Honor, Empower and Connect" service members, veterans, and their families. He has built & maintained relationships with local military bases, creating opportunities for military personnel to engage with the team through various unique experiences. His research into veteran service organizations led to him founding a partnership named "Task Force 12." Those 12 organizations assist veterans with finding employment, food, homes, service dogs, and counseling. By connecting these organizations, they realized they share the goal of reestablishing the sense of a shared mission that many military personnel have been missing. Together, the Seahawks and Task Force 12 have worked on supply drops, playground builds, job fairs and mental health summits. Nino worked to facilitate over $500,000 in grants for these nonprofits. He has arranged for our 2021 Salute to Service game to feature 100+ women service members and veterans. He is an active member of the local chapter of "Merging Veterans & Players" (MVP) which unites NFL alumni and veteran service members. By introducing MVP to the community, their vital dialogue is empowering the lives of military service personnel and athletes. Nino is a soldier who nearly lost his life when his Stryker was destroyed by a 400 lb. IED. He suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury, and severe leg injuries. That experience along with his resilience and imagination have made Nino the perfect individual to lead our military programs. We are proud to nominate Nino Gray for this award as the Seahawks and the NFL show gratitude for the service of our military personnel.
