disgusting money grab

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

http://www.voanews.com/content/us-senators-reveal-paid-patriotism-as-military-pays-millions-to-sports-teams/3037847.html

I actually blame the DOD more than the NFL.  Does the American Cancer Association pay the NFL to get them to wear pink?  Because I would see that as the same thing. 

If you want to HONOR someone or something -- you do it for free.  Otherwise it isn't an honor.

(Yes, I am aware my team is the second worst offender)

[Dave Gray]

It's essentially paid advertising. 

It probably makes financial sense from the Army.  You get a ton of advertising, a bunch of positive press, and probably helps with recruiting and other stuff....all wrapped in "honoring the troops".  It's really just a commercial.

This isn't new really.  The army runs commercials, creates video games to help recruit, and now this comes out.  I'm not even surprised.  The army is a business.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I get that the military gets a benefit from the publicity.  But if you are claiming "to honor America's hero's" than that honor should be done for free. 

If you will only do a tribute to veterans if the DOD pays you to do it, then you are not really honoring american veterans you are treating them with the same respect (or lack of respect) you pay bud light, fan duel, ashley madison and every other paid sponsor. 

[Dave Gray]

They are not honoring anyone.  It's a commercial.  They're just saying that they're honoring them, because they're paid to do it and can wrap the commercial in patriotism to get everyone on board.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

DOD is being stupid. 

DOD says to NFL...."if you want to honor the military with a pregame color guard we will provide you with the soldiers but we ain't paying you", there will still be a color guard.  Because the backlash against the NFL would be too great if they didn't.   

[masterfins]

They are not honoring anyone.  It's a commercial.  They're just saying that they're honoring them, because they're paid to do it and can wrap the commercial in patriotism to get everyone on board.

That's the problem.  The NFL is misrepresenting the activity.

[masterfins]

I'm kind of surprised this goes on.  A couple years ago when the "sequester" came into effect and slashed budgets, the practice of aerial flyovers by the military was banned due to the expense.

[Brian Fein]

Next week will be Ford Truck Week, where all players will wear stickers of Ford trucks on their helmets and have "FORD" logos on their gloves.  Of course this will be to "honor" Ford as a premiere auto maker.  Ford merchandise will be auctioned off after the games to benefit the Ford Motor Company Foundation.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I am okay with that.

[Dave Gray]

Maybe I'm jaded, but I think it's naive to think that the military and the NFL both are acting as anything other that businesses entering into a strategic partnership for mutual benefit.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I agree, but the NFL benefit should be getting to use the troops as props for the color guard and PR of being patriotic not cash

[Dave Gray]

Now who's being naive, Kay?

[bsmooth]

This is interesting. Recently I contacted the Seahawks about having student veterans be part of the activities for the home game on the 15th, and got no response for them. Of course we had no money.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-49tiFiyQxQ

[fyo]

Hoodie, this could be just me (and I have no say), but could you add a little bit of descriptive text instead of just offsite links?