EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings and Crown Royal are proud to recognize this year's "That Deserves a Crown" award winners, honoring people who make positive impacts in the community.
We were proud to host these veterans at U.S. Bank Stadium over the course of the 2025 season. Honorees received pregame sideline passes, an autographed football and recognition on the video board.
Emmanuel Reyes | Army | Week 3 vs. Bengals
Emmanuel Reyes' military career was marked by generosity and selflessness. While serving in the Army, he consistently put others first — whether mentoring younger soldiers, supporting his team or volunteering time in the community. His commitment to giving back was recognized when he was awarded the Outstanding Service Medal.
Reyes may have retired from military service in 2017, but he certainly didn't retire from serving others. Now as a school resource officer, he does more than provide safety; he makes real connections with the students, provides them with someone they can trust and encourages them.
Reyes additionally spends numerous hours coaching fifth- and sixth-grade football, where his goal goes beyond winning games. He teaches respect, teamwork and discipline while making sure each young person feels valued.
Kent Lestrud | Army | Week 7 vs. Eagles
Kent Lestrud served as a lieutenant in the Minnesota National Guard from March 1985 to December 1990. After leaving active service, he pursued an education degree at St. Cloud State University, and in August of 1998 he began teaching at Princeton Middle School — where he has served students for the past 27 years.
Over almost three decades at Princeton, Lestrud has coached middle school football, golf and math league, and been heavily involved in community activities.
Ryan Ross | Army | Week 10 vs. Ravens
During his service as an HMMWV gunner, Ryan Ross was injured by a roadside bomb.
The experience was tremendously difficult, but Ross views it as one that strengthened his commitment to his fellow servicemembers and mission. He also is deeply honored to have received the Purple Heart for his wounds.
Ross reached 20 years of active service in 2018, upon which he retired with pride after a long and meaningful career.
He has continued to give back to the community by serving as a volunteer firefighter in his home of River Falls, Wisconsin, and he says helping others in this way keeps him connected to the values of teamwork and service that have remained central to his life.
Ross' recognitions include the Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, the Army Commendation Medal (second award), Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal (second award), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Overseas Service Ribbon (fourth award) and the Combat Action Badge.
Jon Swanson | Marines | Week 11 vs. Bears
Having served in the United States Marine Corps for 24 years, Jon Swanson retired from military service in December of 2023.
During his career, he held various roles that included Communications Chief, Data Systems Chief, Cyber Network Systems Chief, Cyber Network System Operator, Marksmanship Coach and Transmission System Operator.
Swanson participated in multiple combat missions, including various deployments to Africa and South America. During his deployments to Iraq from 2003-05, he was involved in a wide range of combat operations. Swanson's unit was threatened by roadside bombs, ambushes and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), but they worked tirelessly to maintain peace and protect civilians while striving to stabilize the region.
Swanson is a native of North Carolina, where he first enlisted in the Marine Corps out of high school. After completing his final duty station in Minneapolis, he and his wife Sara, along with their two children, chose to make Minnesota home. He is deeply grateful for his family's support and sacrifice.
Swanson's decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, five Navy Commendation Medals, the Combat Action Ribbon and an Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
Famodu Ayodele | Army | Week 14 vs. Commanders
Famodu Ayodele joined the military after practicing law for several years. At the time, he had no previous military connection outside of a personal desire to give back to United States service members.
Ayodele spent most of his career as a Judge Advocate General helping victims of sexual assault, while also advising commanders in military justice, administrative law, fiscal law and other areas of practice.
He mobilized as a Reservist for two-and-a-half years and deployed in support of Spartan Shield with the 34th Infantry Division.
Ayodele was forced to enter early retirement with a medical discharge and now has 100 percent disability and combat service-connected disability. He continues his service, however, by working in the community through various volunteer organizations, as well as in his office at the Minnesota Attorney General.
Adam Deia | Army | Week 17 vs. Lions
For more than 26 years, Adam Deia served in the Minnesota Army National Guard.
As one of six children and part of a rural farm family, Deia enlisted at 17 years old and eventually achieved both a bachelor's and master's degree thanks to the education benefits provided by the military.
Deia deployed three times. In 2023, he deployed to Bosnia on a peacekeeping rotation as part of the weapons storage site inspection team; the following year, he was on a PDSS (pre-deployment site survey) and deployed to Kuwait as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Deia deployed to Iraq in 2006 and performed a combination of QRF, convoy escort and security for a civil affairs engagement team; notably, that marked the longest continuous deployment (22 months) of any military unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Deia also has participated in military exercises in Norway, Croatia and Poland. In 2010, he completed accelerated Army Officer Candidate School (OCS) and accepted a commission, subsequently serving in positions at the platoon, company, battalion, brigade and division leve, including a company command stint for 38 months.
