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This Sounds Familiar...
BY TIM SCHMIDT - USCCA FOUNDER
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NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed this week that "the NFL has denied advertising space in the Super Bowl program for a veterans group that declined to alter language about standing for the national anthem."
That group — American Veterans, or AMVETS, founded in 1944 for veterans of World War II — submitted the full-page advertisement to the NFL, NHL and NBA.
The ad was accepted for use in all-star game programs for the NHL and the NBA, but — according to CNN — the NFL "rejected the ad because it made a 'political statement.'"
McCarthy said the NFL game program "has never been a place for advertising" that could be considered political but added that "the NFL has long supported the military and veterans."
ESPN reported that the NFL has "editorial control over the content" and "asked AMVETS to consider other options for the message," including phrases like "Please Honor our Veterans" and "Please Stand for our Veterans."
But AMVETS national commander Marion Polk wasn't backing down, instead expressing his discontent with the NFL's decision.
He wrote to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that "freedom of speech works both ways. 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. 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."
I couldn't agree more. And, honestly, I couldn't help but reflect on the past — 2015, to be exact — when the USCCA was in an incredibly similar position.
Here's what happened:
The USCCA was presented with a very unique opportunity to advertise in the Official 2015 Super Bowl program. But the NFL wasn't "comfortable" with our message of responsible firearms ownership. In fact, they went so far as to ask us to exclude our full name — The United States Concealed Carry Association — from our ad!
As you can imagine, after a lot of back and forth, we ended up pulling the plug on that advertisement.
You see, what at first looked like an opportunity to reach thousands of law-abiding Americans was really just a disappointing reminder that some people simply don't understand what we do or why we do it. Some people just don't "get it." At the end of the day, we refused to compromise our mission or tone down our voice simply because a few people at the NFL weren't comfortable with our message about saving lives with guns.
From what I can tell, it sounds like AMVETS also refused to compromise, holding steadfast to their responsibility of honoring our country's veterans.
Meanwhile, the NFL continues to show disrespect for freedom and for sacrifice. I find that incredibly disappointing.
I don't know about you, but I will continue to stand tall for our National Anthem, for our amazing veterans who have given so much and for all the precious things I hold so dear.
Take Care and Stay Safe, 
Tim Schmidt
Publisher - Concealed Carry Report
USCCA Founder
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Last edited by senor honda; 02-05-2018 at 04:59 AM.