YORK, Pa. — When you tune in to watch your favorite NFL team play for the next few weeks, you might notice most of the coaching staff are wearing gray and white camouflage hooded sweatshirts.
Why?
It's part of the league's Salute to Service initiative, which it says "represents the NFL's unwavering dedication to honoring, empowering, and connecting to our nation's service members, veterans, and their families."
Created in 2011, Salute to Service is anchored through league partnerships with five charitable organizations that support the military community: the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Pat Tillman Foundation, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), the United Service Organizations (USO) and Wounded Warrior Project.
Since 2011, the league said, the NFL has raised more than $73 million for its Salute to Service charitable partners "to help advance their ongoing missions to uplift our nation’s military community through targeted programs, resources and support."
From Week 10-12 of the NFL season, the league's coaches will wear brown Salute to Service sweatshirts while on the field to highlight the initiative.
The league said it will also host special events in communities across the country.
“Every day, the brave men, women, and families serving in our armed forces make countless sacrifices to uphold our great nation’s freedom and security. Because of their sacrifice, the entire NFL family can participate in and enjoy the game of football,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Salute to Service represents our year-round commitment to the military community, and we are proud to recognize and honor our country’s service members, veterans and their families."