DeeJay Dallas Salutes Brother Amauri, Whose Army Service Defines the Vikings RB’s Family History

Minnesota Vikings running back DeeJay Dallas used the league’s Salute to Service initiative to highlight a different kind of football story, one rooted in family. Dallas spoke about his relationship with his brother, Amauri, framing it as a lifelong bond shaped by both mentorship and sacrifice.

Dallas said he is the older of 10 siblings in a blended family, and that Amauri has long looked up to him. He added that when Dallas was playing in Seattle, Amauri lived with him during his junior and senior years of high school.

Over the past few years, that sibling connection has taken on new weight. Dallas reported that Amauri is serving in the United States Army as an 11 Charlie (mortarman), and that he recently returned from a 9-month deployment overseas.

Dallas described how difficult the distance was for their family, including a stretch when they went more than a month without hearing from Amauri. He also said Amauri could provide limited updates, noting that their unit did not have phones and that contact depended on what other people on the base could enable.

As Dallas and his wife sent letters and care packages during training camp and preseason, he said the moment Amauri’s return aligned with Dallas’ football life. Dallas described thinking ahead to when his brother could attend a Vikings game, which he said happened Monday night, and he said he was “happy” Amauri is safe now while also proud of what his brother has done.

Dallas tied the personal story to a broader purpose. He said he looks for servicemembers on game days to thank them, and he discussed returning veterans’ access to support resources for issues such as PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.

Dallas said he has connected with Vikings running back Aaron Jones, Sr., the team’s 2026 Salute to Service nominee, to learn ways to support military families and youth, and he indicated he intends to keep pushing in that direction beyond the spotlight.

At the center of the message, Dallas portrayed his role as both brother and teammate: pride in his country, pride in Amauri, and a promise that support will not end when deployment does.