2017 marks the 98th season of the National Football League. Starting in September and ending with the Super Bowl in February, approximately 64% of Americans watch NFL games. During the month of November, the NFL takes time to honor the .4% of Americans who are active duty military, and the 7.3% of Americans who are military veterans.
NFL teams also take time to invite local service members to their military appreciation games and hold pre-game and halftime ceremonies honoring service members near and far.
According to NFL.com, “Honoring the military is part of the fabric of the NFL. This support takes place both at home and abroad, with NFL players and coaches traveling overseas to salute the troops, as well as with team recognition of our servicemen and women through the NFL's Salute to Service.”
The goal of the Salute to Service campaign is to fund programs and provide resources that positively impact veterans and active duty military members and their families. Since 2011, the NFL has raised more than $17 million for its military non-profit partners, to include the Pat Tillman Foundation, USO, TAPS and Wounded Warrior Project. The NFL also raised $1,795,255 on a 2017 donation campaign on Twitter.