| 11.06.03 - The NFL will launch a “Families Helping Families” public awareness campaign this Veterans Day Weekend (November 9-10) to assist families of military service men and women who lost their lives in combat, and Chargers Owner Alex Spanos is one of the men leading the charge.
The NFL program was initiated by the six NFL owners – including Spanos – who served in the military during World War II. It includes TV, radio and internet messages supporting the Intrepid Foundation’s Fallen Heroes Fund plus in-stadium salutes to the military and visits by players to military hospitals.
“All of us are indebted to the men and women who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom,” said Spanos. “It gives me great honor to join the NFL in saluting these true American heroes. I hope others will follow our lead.”
The NFL and its players will contribute $100,000 to help launch the campaign.
In addition to Spanos, the five other NFL owners who served during World War II are: Bud Adams, Tennessee Titans; Tom Benson, New Orleans Saints; Wellington Mara, New York Giants; Art Modell, Baltimore Ravens; and Ralph Wilson, Buffalo Bills.
“Our clubs recognize that the men and women of our armed forces are tremendous NFL fans,” said Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. “This program is one small way to re-pay that support to families who lose a loved one in defense of our country in the Middle East. Our owners, coaches and players speak with one voice when it comes to this project.”
The campaign cornerstone is a new national TV and radio spot produced by NFL Films that will air during network game telecasts starting this weekend. Narrated by Vietnam veteran and former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rocky Bleier, the message encourages NFL fans to support the Intrepid Foundation’s Fallen Heroes Fund, which provides an immediate $10,000 gift to families who have paid the ultimate price with the loss of a family member in Iraq or Afghanistan.
NFL.com will host a subsite – NFL.com/Heroes – that will provide information and a link to givedirect.org where fans can donate to the fund.
Clubs with home games on Veterans Day Weekend will salute the military and generate awareness with in-stadium tributes and special military color-guards, anthem singers and scoreboard messages.
The following is the text for the television message narrated by Bleier, who resumed his career with the Steelers after being seriously wounded in Vietnam and played on the Steelers four Super Bowl championship teams of the 1970s:
“The National Football League family is committed to supporting the courageous men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Mid-East.
But the fight for freedom is not without loss.
And the NFL urges you to join us and the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund in supporting the military families of those heroes who have sacrificed their lives in the service of our country.
Please visit ‘nfl.com/heroes fund’ and help support those families in need.” | |
