NFL Teams Honor Veterans, Military

The National Football League will honor veterans and active duty members of the military during November, with teams designating home games as special Veterans Recognition Games throughout the month. The NFL has a long history of supporting America’s armed services, including a 44-year partnership with the USO that includes overseas visits to troops and trips to military hospitals nationwide.

The NFL will continue to offer its Game Pass HD service free of charge at USO Centers for military members stationed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Germany, Italy, Korea and Japan. At the USO facility in each of these locations, servicemembers can watch every NFL game live and online in its entirety.

In addition, teams will honor veterans and the armed services with a number of pregame and in-stadium initiatives:

Arizona Cardinals

At their November 15 game, the Cardinals will host 120 military volunteers, representing all service branches and unfurl a field-size American flag for the National Anthem, which will be performed by a member of the Navy. The Colors will be presented by American Legion Ira Hayes Post 84, and a local servicemember will be the game’s Honorary Captain.

Atlanta Falcons

At the November 8 game, the Falcons Fitness Flag Crew, presented by Flagstar Bank, will be comprised of soldiers from Fort Gordon’s Warrior Transition Battalion and the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center for Rehab in Augusta. The team will show the names of all season ticket holders who are veterans on their video board and display a “Thank You Veterans” ribbon. Falcons players will tape thank you messages for veterans to air on the jumbotron during the game. Prior to the Anthem, fans will be asked to observe a moment of silence, followed by recognition of veterans in-stadium. A local veteran will participate in the coin toss.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens will honor military members at their November 1 game. Festivities will include a pregame A-10 aircraft flyover, a serviceman as Honorary Captain of the Game, the Maryland National Guard’s salute to troops headed to Afghanistan, a live video feed from Afghanistan, a halftime performance by Baltimore’s Marching Ravens, a presentation of the Fort McHenry Great Garrison Flag and red, white and blue uniforms for the cheerleaders’ quarter-break performance.

Buffalo Bills

On November 1, the Bills will host their annual military appreciation on-field pregame ceremony. One-hundred servicemembers, including representatives from all military branches, will be on-field, and veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and the Iraq conflict will all be recognized. The team will also pay tribute to members of Wounded Warriors and welcome them on-field.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers will host a Pro vs. GI Joe event at Bank of America Stadium on November 3. Chris Harris and Hilee Taylor will compete against active duty military personnel stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan in video games. The soldier’s families will also be present to speak to the soldiers via a video conference hookup. On November 10, Panthers players Jason Baker, Gary Barnidge, Mackenzy Bernadeau and N’ail Diggs will visit traveling service personnel at the USO station at Charlotte Douglas Airport. At the November 15 game, the team will welcome military personnel who recently returned from active duty. They will lead the Panthers on-field and serve as honorary coin toss captains. Pregame ceremonies will feature color guards from all five service branches, and the game will include a salute to military heroes and POW-MIA recognition. Halftime will include the recognition of each service branch and a swearing-in ceremony for new military enlistees.

Chicago Bears

On November 3, the Bears will make an appearance at the North Chicago VA Medical Center and deliver letters written to veterans by local students as part of the Hello to Our Heroes program. Sponsored by Staples, the program pairs players with students to write letters to veterans each month during the season. At the November 8 game, a soldier will deliver the American Flag to the field before players run out of the team tunnel. Army Generals and award recipients will serve as Honorary Captains for the coin toss. The U.S. Naval Academy Women’s Glee Club will sing the National Anthem while men and women representing the service’s five branches hold a large American flag on-field. Halftime activities will include a re-enlistment ceremony with men and women from all branches, and a soldier will serve as the 4th Phase Captain.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals will host over 50 military members, representing all service branches, at their November 8 game. They will take part in a flag unfurling during the National Anthem, followed by an Air Force flyover. There will be an on-field check presentation by Kroger to Operation Home Front. The JungleZone area will feature an interactive Marines and Operation Home Front display. Tributes will run throughout the game, including messages to the team from deployed soldiers.

Cleveland Browns

Through the Cleveland Browns Hats Off to Our Heroes program, the Browns will honor fallen soldiers during the November 16 game. Loved ones representing the soldiers will be seated in the “Honor Row” during the game. Additionally, a custom United States shaped American flag will be used during the National Anthem with five stars surrounding the flag – one for each branch of the Armed Forces. Veterans from each branch of the military will hold the star that they represent. The honorary Coin Toss Captain for this game will be a decorated war veteran.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys will host a military-themed game recognizing the USO and servicemembers. Festivities will include a performance with team’s cheerleaders and Neal McCoy. At the end of the halftime performance, 50 children from Snowball Express will be escorted on-field. Snowball Express is an organization that supports the children of fallen heroes. The Marines also will perform pregame with their drum and bugle corps.

Denver Broncos

At the November 9 game, a retired Golden Knight and Purple Heart recipient will parachute into the stadium with the Thunderstorm Skydive Team, using a Purple Heart Parachute. Halftime ceremonies will include a salute to military members, with all branches represented on-field. The Air Force Academy Band will sing God Bless America, and a Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient will be honored. Military shout-outs will be shown throughout the game.

Detroit Lions

The Lions will hold an induction ceremony at their November 1 game. The 119th Field Artillery and 182 Field Artillery Battalions will represent the Michigan Army National Guard during a pregame pre-deployment ceremony. One hundred soldiers will attend the game, and all veterans in attendance will be recognized. The team will also honor a local military member who recently returned home from Iraq at the game. The Lions honor a soldier at each of their home games as part of their Hometown Heroes Program.

Green Bay Packers

On November 15, the Packers will unfurl a large flag on-field and host an Air Force flyover. The team will recognize a Military Family of the Game on-field before the National Anthem.

Houston Texans

The Texans saluted the military at their October 25 game, at which President George H.W. Bush and President George W. Bush served as Honorary Captains. The National Anthem was performed by a member of the military, followed by members of the US Army Golden Knights parachuting in with American Flag and Game Ball. The Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon performed during halftime, followed by a live satellite feed from the USS Bush, during which President George H.W. Bush addressed the troops. The Texans also hosted a field day for 100 wounded Veterans from the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio at the team’s training facility, and Coach Kubiak invited wounded veterans to attend the first 30 minutes of practice. Lunch was served by the Lady Texans organization.

Indianapolis Colts

Colts players and the team mascot will visit the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis on November 10 to spend time with veterans and attend a birthday party for the Marines. The team will be joined by Purple Heart recipient, Colts community liaison and motivational speaker Josh Bleill. At the November 8 game, cheerleaders will perform a halftime show recognizing veterans.

Jacksonville Jaguars

On November 8, the Jaguars will recognize 12 veterans pregame, and the team will be lead on-field by sailors from NAS Jacksonville, followed by a moment of silence and a 21-gun salute. The National Anthem will be delivered on the video board from a soldier in Taqaddum, Iraq. A flyover will be conducted by a B-2 Spirit from Whiteman AFB, and a large American flag will be held by airmen from Tyndall AFB. At halftime, the team will host a mass induction ceremony, involving all five branches of the military. During the 3rd quarter break, Wounded Warriors will be recognized on the field. Outside the stadium, a Navy helicopter and an Army CH-47 Chinook will be on display, along with an EOD weapons display.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs Rookie Club will host students from the Derrick Thomas Academy for a special field trip at the National World War I Museum. During the visit, the Chiefs will announce a $5,000 grant to the museum. These funds will be used to formulate a “family guide,” which will educate visitors of the museum on its history and displays. The Chiefs also honored past, present and future members of the Armed Forces as they hosted more than 1,200 local military personnel during the club’s Military Appreciation Day at Arrowhead. In addition to several special presentations, the team also debuted Chiefs-branded Military Appreciation Day merchandise, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the U.S. Army’s Wounded Warriors unit from Fort Riley, Kansas.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins’ November 15 game will feature a military ‘stand to’ and enlistment ceremony, with over 200 servicemembers on-field during pregame activities. Members of the National Guard Band and Parris Island Marine Band will greet fans at entrance gates to the stadium, and halftime activities will include a performance by the Parris Island Marine Band. Several Dolphins players will donate their All Community Team Tickets to groups including Wounded Warriors Project. On November 10, Ricky Williams and several of his teammates will host a luncheon for service members from Wounded Warriors Miami. They will also be Williams’ guests at the November 15 game.

Minnesota Vikings

On November 10, the Vikings will be visit the V.A. Hospital in Minneapolis to dedicate a Viking themed area at the hospital. Additionally, Vikings players will visit the Veteran’s Home in Minneapolis. At the November 15 game, the “Minnesota Vikings Salute to the Military” campaign will include military members involved with the National Anthem and Color Guard. A servicemember will be designated as the day’s Honorary Viking. The Mall of America Field Plaza will feature military vehicles and a climbing wall pregame, and a large flag will be unfurled during the anthem. Patriotic songs will be performed pregame on the plaza stage.

New England Patriots

At their November 8 game, the Patriots will recognize veterans and active military members on-field prior to kickoff and with a video played at halftime. Active servicemembers and veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf will be honored at the game. The coin toss will include participation from two veterans, one of whom is a Patriots fan and one who is a Dolphins fan.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints will honor the military at their November 2 game. Pregame entertainment will include a flag unfurling presentation with 125 active duty participants from all branches of the military and feature “Saints shot out” messages by military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan on the video boards. A marine will perform the National Anthem and the Commandant of the USMC will be presented as a special guest during the coin toss. During halftime, the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon will perform.

New York Giants

At their November 8 game, the Giants will recognize crew members from the USS New York, a vessel whose bow is comprised of steel salvaged from the wreckage of the World Trade Center. The team also will host a volunteer group representing Homes For Our Troops, a non-profit organization dedicated to building adapted homes for severely injured veterans; they will be on-site distributing ribbons to fans. On Veterans Day, the Giants will host local Wounded Warriors at practice and invite them for lunch in the players’ cafeteria.

New York Jets

At their November 15 game, the Jets will celebrate their 10th annual Military Appreciation Day. Seventy-five military personnel representing each of the five branches of the military will be guests at practice on November 13. Pregame on Sunday, each branch of the military will have exhibits and recruiting stations set up outside the stadium. Vocalists from the Air Force Singing Sergeants will perform the National Anthem, with members of each branch of the military on-field. The Maguire Air Force Base joint color guard will present the colors, and a B-52 bomber will perform a flyover at the conclusion of the Anthem. A local four-star general will serve as honorary captain, and halftime will include a performance by the Air Force Honor Guard precision drill team. Throughout the game, special messages from troops will be played in-stadium, as well as a message from Coach Ryan and player messages to servicemembers. Public service announcements will be played in-stadium promoting each branch of the military.

Oakland Raiders

On November 10, Raiders players will visit with veterans at the VA Medical Center in San Francisco, speaking about football experiences and will answering questions.

Philadelphia Eagles

On November 6, the Eagles will host a Pro vs. GI Joe event at the NovaCare Complex. Players will play Guitar Hero against soldiers in Iraq and meet with approximately 25 military members. Family members of the soldiers playing in Iraq will be in attendance to visit with their loved ones onscreen. The Eagles will honor the military at their November 8 game by featuring the US Marines Silent Drill Team at halftime and unfurling a field-size American Flag during the Anthem.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers and VA Healthcare hosted the second annual Heroes at Heinz Field event for 75 veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Participants, many wounded in the war, tried out their football skills with the help of Steelers players Patrick Bailey, Charlie Batch, Keyaron Fox, Doug Legursky, Ryan Mundy, Dan Sepulveda, A.Q. Shipley, Kraig Urbik and Greg Warren. The players spent time speaking with veterans and expressing gratitude for their service. At the November 15 game, the color guard will consist of local veterans.

St. Louis Rams

On November 10, Jason Brown and teammates will visit a local VA Hospital to encourage patients and sign autographs. At the November 15 game, the team will have a Salute to American Veterans presentation during halftime with a pass in review including local military organizations. The team will honor veterans during the game, and the National Anthem will be performed by Navy personnel.

San Diego Chargers

As part of the Chargers’ ongoing support for San Diego County active duty military and veterans, on November 10, Chargers players and cheerleaders will visit the San Diego’s VA Hospital to spend time with patients and veterans groups. As part of the day’s activities, the team will provide a donation for some new recreational equipment.

San Francisco 49ers

Current and former members of the 49ers will visit a local retirement home to host a card tournament. During the event, the entire group will join in the Pledge of Allegiance, and veterans will be recognized by the Color Guard and given a limited edition 49ers pin to honor their service. As part of a longstanding tradition, at the November 8 game, a color guard consisting of members of a variety of branches of the military will present the flag during the National Anthem. Additionally, discounted tickets will be offered to members of the military.

Seattle Seahawks

At the Seahawks November 8 game, representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Legion will be introduced as a large American flag is unfurled. Other military guests on the sidelines will include members from the Warrior Transition Battalion. The US Navy Academy Glee Club will perform the National Anthem, followed by a flyover, and representatives from McChord Air Force Base will present the American flag.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On November 11, Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Mark Dominik will welcome two returning veterans into their new homes, courtesy of the Buccaneers in partnership with Rebuild Together Tampa Bay. Named “Operation: Bucs Rebuild,” these homes will provide safe havens for veterans. These abandoned homes are being totally refurbished and updated as part of the City of Tampa’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

Tennessee Titans

On November 10, Titans players, cheerleaders and staff will visit the Nashville V. A. Medical Center, led by Ahmard Hall, who served for four years in the Marines with service in Kosovo. In addition, the team’s 11th annual Titans Salute to Veteran’s Day will take place during the November 15 game, with 120 soldiers from Fort Campbell 101st Airborne Division unfurling a giant American Flag spanning the entire field for the National Anthem, followed by a flyover of F-16’s from the 187th Fighter Wing. At halftime, the 101st Airborne Division Army Band will play each military branch’s song and a color guard from that branch will parade across the field. The team will present a game ball to the Fort Campbell Commanding General and to a group of Wounded Warriors who will be attending the game.

Washington Redskins

On November 10, the Redskins will host a Pro vs. GI Joe event at Redskins Park. Players will play Guitar Hero against soldiers overseas and meet with approximately 25 active, retired and wounded military members. Family members of the soldiers playing overseas will be in attendance to visit with their loved ones onscreen. Additionally, Redskins players will visit with wounded warriors in the morning at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. At the November 15 game, the Redskins will honor the military by featuring the US Air Force and Military Order of the Purple Heart during the coin toss and halftime ceremonies. In addition, the Redskins will be hosting a “Timeout for Military Veterans’ Health” at the stadium on November 7, with free health screenings.