AFL and NBC Pay Tribute to Military Forces and Families at Desperados Game
Published on April 1, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
Courtesy NBC Press Release
NEW YORK - April 1, 2003 - This Sunday's AFL on NBC game, which features San Jose visiting Dallas will "Salute the Troops" and be broadcast around the world via the American Forces Network Sports channel. The San Jose - Dallas contest will kick-off on NBC, Sunday, April 6 at noon ET/11 a.m. CT and AFN-TV will rebroadcast the game to troops stationed in 179 countries throughout the world including Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain on Monday, April 7 beginning at 10 a.m. PT.
NBC's Tom Hammond (play-by-play), Pat Haden (analyst) and Lewis Johnson (reporter) will handle the broadcast for the network. Throughout the telecast, Johnson will talk to family members of deployed military personnel wishing to send messages to their loved ones.
"We wanted to do something special for all the men and women deployed to the Middle East, as well as those stationed here in the United States," said Jon Miller, Senior Vice President, NBC Sports Programming.
The Dallas Desperados, who will distribute more than 10,000 American flags to fans attending the game at Reunion Arena, has extended invitations to all military personnel and family members of deployed service men and women from the surrounding region to attend the game free of charge. Military representation is expected from bases in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana (Ft. Hood, Dyess Air Force Base and Naval Air Base in Ft. Worth in Texas; Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma and Barksdale Air Force Base Louisiana). Additionally, High School and College ROTC students in uniform will be admitted to the game free of charge.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for fans in this region to show their support for the troops abroad through a live broadcast," said Jerry Jones, Jr., President & General Manager of the Dallas Desperados. "Military personnel and families from military bases throughout the region will be in attendance, and they will be given the chance to talk to their brothers, sisters and loved ones on the other side of the world."
AFRTS Broadcast Center Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Garza said, "Watching AFN TV and Radio at a remote location overseas is perhaps the biggest morale booster you will have as a soldier, sailor, airman or marine stationed so far away from home. We're grateful to our friends, the distributors and NBC who give us the great programs that we're able to broadcast and make life that much better for our troops abroad."
The AFN-TV serves the United States Department of Defense military and civilian employees and their family members stationed overseas in 179 countries and territories aboard ships, on air bases, at embassies or command centers. The San Jose at Dallas match-up will be broadcast to more than 850,000 military personnel, including troops stationed at Central Command Head Quarters in Qatar, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, to name a few.
KLIF Radio in Dallas will be accepting care packages outside Reunion Arena to send to military outlets overseas and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, who have been involved in numerous USO tours, will be on hand to sign autographs and meet fans.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 1, 2003
- Buffalo Destroyers Game Notes - Buffalo Destroyers
- Detroit Fury Game Notes - Detroit Fury
- Hlavacek Named Ironman of the Week - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- San Jose SaberCats Game Notes - San Jose SaberCats
- Grand Rapids Rampage Game Notes - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Georgia Force Game Notes - Georgia Force
- L.A.'s Tony Graziani named AFL 'Offensive Player of the Week' - Los Angeles Avengers
- AFL and NBC Pay Tribute to Military Forces and Families at Desperados Game - AFL I
- Chicago Rush Game Notes - Chicago Rush
- AFL Honor Players of the Week - AFL I
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
