Vikings running back Aaron Jones, 49ers tight end George Kittle and Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox are the finalists for the NFL’s 14th annual Salute to Service award presented by USAA.

CNN VideoThe US Navy confirmed Thursday that the pilot of the F/A-18E Super Hornet that crashed Wednesday in Death Valley National Park died as a result of the crash. "The Navy has confirmed that the pilot of the F/A-18E died in the crash," US Naval Air Forces said in a statement. In accordance with Department of Defense policy the name of the pilot is being withheld for 24 hours to allow for family notification. The crash took place in Death Valley National Park at a spot known to aviation enthusiasts as Star Wars Canyon, according to park spokesman Patrick Taylor, who told CNN that seven visitors had suffered minor injuries as a result. As a general rule, military jets are not allowed to fly over national parks, but an exception was made over this section of Death Valley when it became a national park 25 years ago.