The United States military has paid 14 NFL teams big bucks to do that which you would think the teams would be proud to do on their own — to honor the troops at their games.
That’s according to a report discussed Monday by the crew on “Fox & Friends,” who were clearly irate with the news.
“Most of the time when you see these great ceremonies take place at the games — the flag comers out, we’re saluting our veterans and soldiers — you think ‘this is a great move by the teams to do this,’” co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck said.
“We think they’re doing it on their own. It turns out they’re actually billing — billing — our military,” she fumed.
“$5.4 million over three years — most of it coming from the National Guard,” Fox anchor Bret Baier said.
“I think there’s just this bad taste about it,” he added. “You didn’t know they were being paid for it.”
The 14 teams involved are, according to NJ.com.
1 Atlanta Falcons – $1.05 million
2 Baltimore Ravens – $884,500
3 Buffalo Bills – $679,000
4 Indianapolis Colts – $620,000
5 Minnesota Vikings – $605,000
6 Green Bay Packers – $600,000
7 New York Jets – $377,500
8 Kansas City Chiefs – $250,000
9 Cincinnati Bengals – $138,960
10 Dallas Cowboys – $62,500
11 St. Louis Rams – $60,000
12 Pittsburgh Steelers – $36,000
13 Cleveland Browns – $22,500
14 Miami Dolphins – $20,000
The National Guard explained the expenditure as just another arm of its recruitment and retention advertising, according to NJ.com.
But to Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., it’s an egregious waste of taxpayer dollars.
“They realize the public believes they’re doing it as a public service or a sense of patriotism,” he said. “It leaves a bad taste in your mouth.”
Right after the segment aired, people took to social media to express their outrage. Here are a few examples:
@FoxNewsInsider @foxandfriends @BretBaier If the NFL had to be paid, then I won’t be watching football again!!! Shame on all involved!!!
— George M. Jeanette (@gmjeanette) May 11, 2015
@FoxNewsInsider @BretBaier @foxandfriends Sad when u have 2 pay professionals 2 Honor our Heros! They should give a % of pay to Military!
— Bella Black (@sassyyellow12) May 11, 2015
@FoxNewsInsider @BretBaier @foxandfriends What the? They have to be PAID to Salute the Troops. The NFL s/b DONATING that much to vets.
— Michael Nunez (@mickeynu477) May 11, 2015
@FoxNewsInsider @foxandfriends @BretBaier our tax $ at work. Rape military & vets of benefits while giving $ to those who don’t earn it.
— Paula Madden (@pscmmadden) May 11, 2015
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