A decision by the National Football League to deny a veterans group TV ad time during this year’s Super Bowl has the vets group claiming liberal bias on behalf of the league.
The ad by AMVETS, “a non-partisan, volunteer-led organization” consisting of mostly World War II veterans according to the group’s website, portrayed images of veterans saluting the American flag alongside the hashtag #PleaseStand.
The $30,000 advertisement, which was slated to run during Super Bowl LII between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, was the group’s effort to push back against the growing trend of NFL players kneeling during the national anthem — in protest of mistreatment and abuse of African-American and other minorities at the hands of law enforcement.
Group members told Military Times on Monday their ad proposal was dismissed outright by league officials, who did not provide details as to why the veterans group would not be allowed to purchase airtime during the Super Bowl. AMVETS National Commander Marion Polk said the decision smacked of censorship by the NFL.
“We respect the rights of those who choose to protest, as these rights are precisely what our members have fought — and in many cases died — for,” he said. “But imposing corporate censorship to deny that same right to those veterans who have secured it for us all is reprehensible and totally beyond the pale.” NFL officials did not comment on their decision to deny the group TV time during the game.
• Carlo Muñoz can be reached at cmunoz@washingtontimes.com.
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