I’m usually the last to know. Last May the New Jersey Star Ledger brought the spot light on the NFL and DoD. The DoD has paid over $5.4 million in taxpayer money between 2011 to 2014 to honor U.S. soldiers and veterans at NFL games. According to published reports, there were 14 NFL teams across the country receiving funding to honor the military with patriotic displays at these games. This maybe a great recruitment tool; however, up to now nobody was aware that these heartfelt salutes to soldiers from hometown football teams were part of paid promotions under federal advertising contracts for the military at the expense of the taxpayer. This salute to soldiers is not a public service or sense of patriotism and becomes disingenuous knowing now that we’re paying for the salute to the troops.
These are the 14 teams accepting DoD dollars:
1. Atlanta Falcons - $1.05 million
2. Baltimore Ravens - $884,500
3. Buffalo Bills - $679,000
4. Indianapolis Colts - $620,000
5. Minnesota Vikings - $605,000
6. Green Bay Packers - $600,000
7. New York Jets - $377,500
8. Kansas City Chiefs - $250,000
9. Cincinnati Bengals - $138,960
10. Dallas Cowboys - $62,500
11. St. Louis Rams - $60,000
12. Pittsburgh Steelers - $36,000
13. Cleveland Browns - $22,500
14. Miami Dolphins - $20,000
These are the 14 teams accepting DoD dollars:
1. Atlanta Falcons - $1.05 million
2. Baltimore Ravens - $884,500
3. Buffalo Bills - $679,000
4. Indianapolis Colts - $620,000
5. Minnesota Vikings - $605,000
6. Green Bay Packers - $600,000
7. New York Jets - $377,500
8. Kansas City Chiefs - $250,000
9. Cincinnati Bengals - $138,960
10. Dallas Cowboys - $62,500
11. St. Louis Rams - $60,000
12. Pittsburgh Steelers - $36,000
13. Cleveland Browns - $22,500
14. Miami Dolphins - $20,000
