You know those heart-tugging salutes to the troops you've seen at various sporting events over the years? The teams didn't feature those moments because of unbridled patriotism and a simple desire to recognize and thank military personnel for their sacrifices.
The Department of Defense paid for those touching moments.
NFL military salutes have prompted official inquiries, but the promotions also have occurred at Major League Baseball Games. These members of the Georgia National Guard participated in a tribute to troops in July 2012 at an Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field. (Photo courtesy Georgia National Guard via Flickr Creative Commons)
Sixteen National Football League teams got more than $6 million for star-spangled ceremonies during the 2011 through 2014 seasons, according to a report by NJ.com based on government contract records.
The bulk of the payments came from the National Guard, with the Army and Air Force also pitching in for on-field programs.
The NFL's Atlanta Falcons were the big winner, getting more than $1 million for the military-themed events. The Miami Dolphins got the least of the $6.103 million total payout, just $20,000. Here's the full breakdown:
| NFL Team | Number of Contracts |
Total Payments |
| Atlanta Falcons | 5 | $1,049,500 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 5 | $885,000 |
| Buffalo Bills | 4 | $679,000 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 3 | $138,960 |
| Cleveland Browns | 2 | $22,500 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 1 | $62,500 |
| San Francisco Forty Niners | 1 | $125,000 |
| Green Bay Packers | 3 | $600,000 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 4 | $620,000 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 2 | $250,000 |
| Miami Dolphins | 1 | $20,000 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 3 | $605,000 |
| New Orleans Saints | 4 | $572,875 |
| New York Jets | 4 | $377,500 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 2 | $36,000 |
| St. Louis Rams | 1 | $60,000 |
| Team Totals | 45 | $6,103,335 |
The military says the efforts are a useful recruitment tool and worth the money.
"Promoting and increasing the public's understanding and appreciation of military service in the New Jersey Army National Guard increases the propensity for service in our ranks and garners public support for our Hometown Team," according to National Guard spokesman Patrick Daugherty.
Congressional questions: Some folks, however, don't think it looks quite right.
One of those uncomfortable with the patriotic tributes is Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.). And he's concerned about more than the NFL deals detailed by the New Jersey news service.
Flake wants the Department of Defense and National Guard to explain their "troubling" marketing and promotional relationship with not only professional football, but also with major league baseball, basketball and hockey teams, as well as with NASCAR and college athletics.
Flake sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense and the chief of the National Guard Bureau asking for a full accounting of the amount paid pro leagues and franchises since fiscal year 2009 for salutes honoring members of the Armed Services.
Flake also is unhappy with the perception that the events are gratis tributes by the leagues and/or teams.
"While it may be appropriate for the National Guard or other service branches to spend taxpayer funds on activities directly related to recruiting, giving taxpayer funds to professional sports teams for activities that are portrayed to the public as paying homage to U.S. military personnel would seem inappropriate." Flake wrote. "Such promotions conjure up feelings of patriotism and pride for most sports fans, and the revelation that these are in fact paid arrangements is disappointing."
NJ.com reports that the Senate and House will take such "paid-for patriotism" promotions into account as the chambers consider Defense funding for the coming fiscal year. Similar questions have been raised before.
"It's crass," Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) told NJ.com. "I want them to give the money back."
Good luck with that senator.
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