NFL Team Invites Navy Veteran to Game to Honor Him — His Response Hits League Right Where It Hurts

IJR ^ | 11/02/2017 | Jason Howerton

[ForYourChildren]

The National Football League wanted to honor a retired U.S. Navy officer with a special award at Sunday’s New Orleans Saints game — but the veteran shot them down hard.

Cmdr. John Wells, who was set to receive the Peoples Health Champion Award, responded to the offer in a letter to executives in the Saints organization and Peoples Health. The award is given to community members who have achieved “significant accomplishments.”

However, Wells wanted nothing to do with it.

"I am unable, in good conscience, to enter an NFL stadium while this discourtesy prevails,” Wells wrote, according to WDSU-TV.

The veteran continued:

“I had hoped and prayed that the NFL would outlaw these disgraceful protests and wanted to give the commissioner and the owners a fair opportunity to do so. Their failure to act is a slap in the face to all of those who have served in uniform. Men and women have fought and died for the flag that the players are disrespecting,” he said.

He definitely got his message across.

Though several players have taken part in national anthem protests across the NFL, Saints quarterback Drew Brees sought to find middle ground and the team kneeled before the anthem rather than during it.

{..snip..}

[billyboy15]

Hardly a bitch slap from Saints mngmnt. More like a very weak attempt to save face after their taking a stinging slam from this fine officer. The teams claim of supporting the military while allowing at the same time their own employees to disrespect the very symbol of these American heroes is pure bullsh☆t

[Cvengr]

”We will not allow Mr. Wells’ decision and subsequent media appearances to distract our players and organization from continuing to honor and support our military and veterans."

Hypocritical view. If they honored veterans, they wouldn't personally attack Cmdr Wells for his position based upon the facts of their spoiled unAmerican behavior.

[Altura Ct.]

This is what it takes. People of good conscience to stand up and do what is right.

Good for him.

[Pollster1]

Though several players have taken part in national anthem protests across the NFL, Saints quarterback Drew Brees sought to find middle ground and the team kneeled before the anthem rather than during it.

They don't get it. I don't care whether your protest is on my side or on the anti-American socialist side; if you link a protest to the National Anthem, you are in the wrong. Just before the Anthem is wrong. During the Anthem is wrong. Just after the Anthem is wrong. If they do it on their own time, I'll be offended. If they do it associated with the Anthem, I'll boycott them forever.

[Iscool]

Though several players have taken part in national anthem protests across the NFL, Saints quarterback Drew Brees sought to find middle ground and the team kneeled before the anthem rather than during it.

There is no de-militarized zone...There is no middle ground...It's a fence; a line...You can't stand on the fence...You're either for us or you are against us...

[The_Republic_Of_Maine]

Hey the enxt game you watch, how about making a lsit of the advertisers and PM me with it.

[Gargantua]

You got it, Maineac. Spent almost twenty of my most memorable summers on Great East Lake in Wells, Maine. Our tradition was to eat our final dinner at Poor People's Pub in Sanbornville on the border with NH. We all got T-shirts as mementos each year.

Anything I can do for a FRiend from Maine is just fine with me.

;^)