CIF Duke City Gladiators

Duke City Gladiators to be Donned "Purple Heart Football Team"

Published on March 22, 2016 under Champions Indoor Football (CIF)
Duke City Gladiators News Release


Albuquerque, N.M. - Since the inception of the Duke City Gladiators Professional Indoor Football team in 2015, the Gladiators organization has always supported our military veterans and their families.

On Saturday March 26th, 2016 which is the first regular season home game of the 2016 season, the Duke City Gladiators will be honored as a "Purple Heart Football Team." This will be only the second time an acknowledgment of this nature is administered. The first team to receive this honor was the Carolina Panthers of the NFL.

Robert Bibeau, Commander with the Department of New Mexico Military Order of the Purple Heart of the USA says, "The Duke City Gladiators organization has always recognized the sacrifices that Purple Heart recipients have made in defending our freedoms." Commander Bibeau goes on to say, "The Gladiators organization believes it is important that we acknowledge them for their courage and show them the honor and support they earned."

Saturday's game against the Mesquite Marshals will be a special evening as it is "Military Appreciation Night." Those who are currently serving, have served in the past or have made the ultimate sacrifice will be honored.

"It is only fitting that we honor the Gladiators on a night they are honoring our servicemen and service women," says Roger Newall who is Department Adjutant of the New Mexico Military Order of the Purple Heart of the USA.

The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in present use and was initially created as the Badge of Military Merit by General Washington in 1782.

Against the Marshals, the Gladiators will become the second professional football team to wear the Purple Heart insignia on the back of their helmets and the insignia will be predominantly displayed on the field. At an extended halftime, an official proclamation will be presented where the Duke City Gladiators will be dubbed a "Purple Heart Football Team."

Co-founder and General Manager Matt Caward is a veteran who served in the Army from 1996-2000. Caward says, "We are so excited and honored to be representing the Military Order of the Purple Heart and we at Duke City understand the sacrifices that men and women make for our freedoms. We want fans to see why we all can live like we do in the greatest country on this Earth and have an understanding of what it means to be a veteran."

The Purple Heart was the first American service award or decoration made available to the common soldier and is specifically awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded or paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat with a declared enemy of the United States of America. The organization now known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A." was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all combat wounded veterans and active duty men and women who have received the decoration. The mission of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is to foster an environment of goodwill among the combat-wounded veteran members and their families, promote patriotism, support legislative initiatives, and most importantly-make sure we never forget.

The Gladiators play their first regular season home game in a Southern Division matchup between the Mesquite Marshals this Saturday March 26th, 2016 with kick-off at 6:05 PM at Tingley Coliseum (300 San Pedro Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108). Doors will open at 4:30 PM. Men and women in uniform past and present always receive a 20% discount on all tickets at every game with valid ID.

The Duke City Gladiators are a professional indoor football team based in Albuquerque, NM and current members of Champions Indoor Football (CIF). The Gladiators play their home games at Tingley Coliseum. Duke City Gladiators single game tickets starts at just $10, season tickets start at just $60 and fans can call 505-226-8006 to purchase. For more information on the Gladiators, visit www.DukeCityGladiators.com , LIKE "Duke City Gladiators" on Facebook & follow the team on Twitter (@DCGladiators).

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