NFL Military Appreciation Ceremonies

[Pappy]

Caught a piece on the news this morning that was somewhat of a disappointment to me. Over the last couple of years there have been ceremonies at 14 different NFL games honoring the military. I, like many others I'm sure, thought these were put on by the home team as both a patriotic gesture and good public relations.

According to the report I saw on the news this morning the teams were paid, mostly from National Guard funds, to host these events. Payments ranged from $20,000 to $1.05 million per to the different teams. I don't have a problem with the Guard spending the tax money this way since it is part of their recruiting effort and reported to have had positive results. It is no different than the military sponsorship of cars in NASCAR or the NHRA. I just felt a bit disappointed and deceived.

I don't intend this thread to be in any way a political statement and hope that it doesn't get turned into one.

[phrog]

I hadn't heard that, Pappy, but it is, indeed, a disappointment.

[Black wallnut]

Sad that we have to pay to display patriotism! Nascar also has the flybys...... how do you all see this as different or is it? Our local Rodeo often has the local University's AFROTC raise the colors but it's not like it is a paid appearance......

[Stytooner]

Are you sure they paid the teams?
I would think the TV networks would be the money handlers.

[Cochese]

I'm more disappointed that the teams took and kept the money.

[Pappy]

Are you sure they paid the teams?
I would think the TV networks would be the money handlers.

According to the news report it was the teams that got the money.

[capncarl]

I have regressed from my early childhood admiration of athletes to being sickened by them! In my professional opinion I think that the very best that a professional football/baseball/basketball player could hope for after his retirement is a mascot or " token" salesman for a car lot chain. The leagues have reduced them to little more than sideshow actors like the sword swallowers and 2 headed freaks of the 40s and 50s.