DeeJay Dallas and his brother Amauri have a special relationship.

The Vikings running back regularly hears from friends and teammates, "Bro, your brother looks just like you," or "You sound just like your brother."

DeeJay emphasizes with a laugh, "No … he sounds like me."

The oldest of 10 siblings in a lovingly blended family, DeeJay, 28, is six year's Amauri's elder.

"That's my baby brother," he says proudly, grinning. "He was the one who kind of followed me everywhere [growing up]. He looked up to me, in a way," DeeJay said. "When I was playing in Seattle, he actually lived with me his junior and senior year of high school. Our bond is unbreakable, honestly. That's my boy."

Though he'll always be "Baby Brother" to DeeJay, it's become especially evident over the past few years Amauri is quite grown, as he is currently serving in the United States Army as an 11 Charlie (mortarman) and recently returned from a 9-month deployment overseas.

DeeJay's expression wavers between immense pride and concern as he describes Amauri living and working in a combat zone — and details the anxiety felt when their family at one point went more than a month without hearing from Amauri.

"When things started to die down, they started being able to call home," DeeJay said. "His unit didn't have phones … but there were other people on that base who did. We didn't get too much contact, but when we did, he would update me.

"He couldn't say too much about what was going on, but there were times when he would be like, 'Man, I don't know. It's rough,' " DeeJay continued. "Their base was getting hit pretty hard, and not being able to be there to protect him … that took a toll on me for a minute. That really hurt."

Throughout the spring and summer, DeeJay and his wife sent letters and care packages to Amauri. He spent training camp and preseason with the Jaguars, staying focused on football while a constant state of concern ran like a background track through his mind.

DeeJay signed to the Vikings practice squad the first week of September and continued to think about the time Amauri would return home and attend one of Minnesota's games — as he did Monday night.

Amauri made the decision to enlist in the Army after injuries interrupted his own football dreams, joining a rich family history of military service. DeeJay's grandfather and father each served in the Navy, and multiple uncles have been part of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

Having tracked his lineage back "before this country was even built," DeeJay noted, "our family has fought in almost every war since the Revolution."

"All of our men in our family have served. I'm one of the only ones that is doing a different job," DeeJay said. "My brother just followed their footsteps, and he's doing a pretty good job."

The NFL's Salute to Service initiative provides players across the league an opportunity to honor military veterans, active service and reserve members, and DeeJay is immensely grateful for the opportunity to highlight Amauri's commitment and sacrifice.

"It gives you a sense of pride … your family being a part of history, being a part of what makes this nation the best nation in the world," DeeJay said. "He carries us with him wherever he goes in the world, no matter where they ship him off to. I always tell him, 'We're with you, no matter what. … We might not be physically there; we might not be in the bunker that you're in; we might not be hanging around with you, but we're there with you.'

"I'm so happy that he's safe now," DeeJay added, "but I'm just so proud of him."

Before every game, DeeJay looks for any military members on the sideline during warm-ups and makes a point to personally greet and thank each one of them.

Amauri may have returned from deployment, but he continues to navigate the common challenge of transitioning back to life in the States. That reality recently struck DeeJay when Amauri declined an invitation to play a military-themed video game the brothers have played many times before.

Sound sleep also has also been difficult for Amauri to come by, as he often imagines being back on base and hearing gunfire.

DeeJay always has had a heart for those in the military and what they go through — but is reinspired to take action that will support mental and physical health for veterans and active servicemembers.

"A lot of combat vets don't have the access [to resources] they really need to deal with the PTSD — or even the TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) that can come from what my brother just went through," he said. "Bombs going off when you're in a bunker and experience that concussive blast."

DeeJay has connected with fellow Vikings RB Aaron Jones, Sr., the Vikings 2026 Salute to Service nominee, to learn more about how to support military families and youth, and he looks forward to making a difference.

He'll also continue to thank servicemembers any opportunity he gets.

"It matters," he said. "That matters to them."

And he'll continue to support Amauri.

"I told my brother, 'I love you. Whatever you need, I've got you,' " he said. "I'm trying to do my thing [as] a military kid; I have pride in my brother, and I have pride in my country."

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