Chicago Bears founder George Halas (left) served in the United States Navy in World War I. At right, U.S. World War I Centennial Commission Commissioner (and U.S. Navy veteran) Zoe Dunning (left) and staff member Yael Rosen (right) present Halas' WWI-era draft card to Brian McCaskey, the current owner of the Chicago Bears, before the Bears' game against the Detroit Lions on 11 November at Soldier Field in Chicago.. 

National Football League teams honor World War I veterans

By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission

Sunday, 11 November, was a day of remembrance around the world, for those who served and were lost during World War I.

Among those who helped to mark the occasion were various teams from the National Football League. You see, Sunday 11 November was also NFL Gameday -- which served as a great public platform to tell the story of our veterans.

In Chicago, the Bears football team had special reason to mark the day, as the teams original founder and owner, George Halas, served in the Navy during World War I.

Prior to the Bears game against the rival Detroit Lions, the teams current owner, Brian McCaskey joined WW1CC Commissioner Zoe Dunning, and Commission staff member Yael Rosen out on the field for a special presentation. They WW1CC representatives gave McCaskey a copy of George Halas' World War I-era draft card. Of the presentation ceremony, Commissioner Dunning stated "It was an experience I will always remember. The Bears organization treated us so well, and it was such a unique opportunity to publicize our Doughboys to the NFL audience."

In Kansas City, the Chiefs unveiled a special poppy uniform patch as part of their Salute to Service. The unveiling took place in the days before the game, during a team member visit to the National World War I Museum and Memorial. The Chiefs team members were greeted by Museum/Memorial CEO Dr. Matthew Naylor, who is also a Commissioner with the WW1CC, and they were given a VIP tour of the museum and the striking memorial.

Closeup of the special Poppy Patch for the Kansas City Chiefs game on 11 November.A full story on the patch, and the special visit, can be found here: https://www.chiefs.com/news/salute-to-service-chiefs-unveil-special-veterans-day-patch-during-visit-to-the-w

Around the league, other teams helped to honor our World War I veterans in other ways. The Washington Redskins posted a great article about their history, and the impact of World War I on their home website: http://www.redskinssalute.com/news/2018/10/31/world-war-i-nfl-touch-points/

The New York Giants generously gave the Centennial Commission room in their game-day program for a graphic to show the new National World War I Memorial in Washington DC. The Green Bay Packers provided mention of the Commission, and of the Memorial, on their jumbotron screens, and in their social media.

This remarkable partnership effort between the World War I Centennial Commission and the teams of the National Football League came about by the tireless effort of WW1CC's Yael Rosen. She spent six months reaching out to members of the League leadership, as well as to the leadership of the individual teams, to tell them about the importance of this Armistice anniversary.

Rosen is humble about the program's success. "It was a team effort, literally. We had many hands helping to work the details at the Commission, and with the League and the Teams. We are thrilled by the way things turned out".

Overall, through this extraordinary partnership, nine NFL football teams -- the Chicago Bears, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Philadelphia Eagles -- participated in our Commission's efforts to honor the men and women who served during World War I.

WW1CC Commissioner & CEO of the National WWI Museum & Memorial Dr. Matt Naylor has some help as he unveils the Kansas City Chiefs special Armistice Centennial Poppy Patch in Kansas City.

 (Above and below) Two versions of the artwork that appeared in game-day programs and jumbotron images for such 11 November games as the New York Giants versus San Francisco 49ers