Outrage: DOD Pays NFL Owners to “Honor Heroes”

Soldier criticizes ‘greedy’ billionaire owners for taking payments
He spoke out after it was revealed NJ National Guard paid Jets $377,000
Military defended payments saying it is a useful recruitment tool
Had led senator Jeff Flake to demand answers over marketing strategy

By Kate Pickles For Mailonline

A US soldier has hit out against ‘shameful’ NFL teams cashing in on patriotic troop displays at sports games.

Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Waiters criticized the franchises after it was revealed the US Defense Department paid 14 NFL teams $5.4million to honor troops at games, over the last four years.

The army medic, who served on two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, blamed ‘greed’ of club owners.

‘I think it’s pretty shameful that millionaires and billionaires take money from the service,’ he told the Daily News.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (L) celebrates with owner Robert Kraft after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Arizona, in this file photo taken February 1, 2015. Kraft said on Monday the National Football League’s punishment of the team and quarterback Tom Brady in the “Deflategate” controversy “far exceeded any reasonable expectation.” Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports/Files
NFL players react to Tom Brady four-game ban for his role in…

He spoke out after it was revealed the Department of Defense and the New Jersey National Guard paid $377,000 to the Jets over the last four seasons to honor military members at MetLife Stadium games.

It was just one of a number of clubs that payments had been made to since 2011.

The National Guard defended its actions by stating the displays were a useful recruitment tool.

‘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,’ Guard spokesman Patrick Daugherty said.

Payments: Military personnel salute before NFL game in what was seen as patriotic display before it was revealed the Department of Defense and National Guard paid clubs to appear

Payments: Military personnel salute before NFL game in what was seen as patriotic display before it was revealed the Department of Defense and National Guard paid clubs to appear

The outcry followed a news report by NJ.com which detailed payments made by the military in return for patriotic events and displays at live games.

The Falcons, Ravens, Bills, Bengals, Browns, Packers, Colts, Chiefs,Vikings and Steelers joined the Jets in getting multiple payouts, while the Cowboys, Dolphins and Rams were each one-time recipients of the funds.

The Atlanta Falcons topped the payment chart with five payments totaling more than $1million between 2011-2014.

Arizona Senator, Jeff Flake, has called for answers from the Department of Defense and National Guard to explain the marketing and promotional relationship with professional football, baseball, hockey and basketball teams.

According to spokesman Maj. Earl Brown, the National Guard will put aside $1,266,000 for NFL advertising during the 2015 fiscal year.

It will dole out a further $2,845,634 for advertising across other mediums including college sport programs.

But in line with strict caps on military spending, the reserve force has decreased sports marketing spending by nearly 70 per cent during the past two financial years, he added.

Recruitment tool: The military defended paying for its troops to appear at games, adding it was a good for recruitment

Recruitment tool: The military defended paying for its troops to appear at games, adding it was a good for recruitment