NFL CELEBRATES 50-YEAR PARTNERSHIP
WITH USO,
PLEDGES ADDITIONAL $5M TO SUPPORT AMERICA’S SERVICE MEMBERS
Contribution will provide for new USO programming, services
and facilities worldwide
Denver, CO. (September 6, 2016) – The NFL today announced
a new $5 million commitment to the USO, adding another milestone to the 50-year
partnership to keep America’s service members connected to family, home and
country throughout their service to our nation. The NFL’s contribution will
support new USO programming, center expansion and renovations.
The announcement will
be made today at a tailgate-themed Kickoff event for military members and their
families hosted by the NFL and USO at the new USO Denver facility, located at
the Denver Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Representatives from
the NFL, USO, and the Denver Broncos will take part in the celebration.
“We are proud of our 50-year
relationship with the USO and what we have accomplished together. I have had
the privilege of participating in our USO tours and experienced first-hand how
much NFL football means to our service members overseas,” said NFL Commissioner
ROGER GOODELL. “We are pleased to
renew and strengthen our commitment to our troops and continue to give back to the
men and women in uniform that have given so much to all of us.”
Over the past 50 years,
the NFL has supported the USO in a variety of ways. The NFL’s latest
contribution will aid new projects that will provide services and programs at
more than 180 USO locations worldwide. This includes support for the USO’s
Force Behind the Forces: A $7.5M Challenge Campaign, a new development and
renovation project that will allow the USO to expand services to an additional
125,000 service members and military families.
“We look forward to expanding upon our 50-year partnership with the
NFL,” said J.D. Crouch II, CEO and President of the USO. “This commitment will
allow the USO to reach more service members and military families – ensuring
they stay connected to the grateful nation they chose to defend.”
The NFL first teamed up
with the USO in 1966 and became the first sports organization to send players
to Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Since then, NFL
players, coaches, officials and executives have made numerous USO tours,
visiting troops around the world. The USO is one of three non-profit military
appreciation partners the NFL supports through its Salute to Service campaign. Contributions from the league’s Salute to Service campaign have provided for the construction of
new facilities, including the USO Pat Tillman Center in Afghanistan and the NFL
Sports Lounge at the USO Warrior and Family Center at Walter Reed National Military
Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, as well as services for military members
and their families, including Operation Enduring Care.
# # #
About the USO
The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them
connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the
nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, we are united in our
commitment to connect our service members and their families through countless
acts of caring, comfort, and support. The USO is a private, non-profit
organization, not a government agency. Our programs, services and entertainment
tours are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate
partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.
Media Contacts:
NFL:
Catherine Boyle
(212) 450-2162
Catherine.boyle@nfl.com
USO:
Sarah Camille Hipp
(703) 579-0882
schipp@uso.org
