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Posted on May 9, 2011 in Stuff We Like

2011 NFL Draft Honors U. S. Military Personnel

By John Ingoldsby

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Gutierrez, Jr., 21st Special Tactics Squadron, announces the San Diego Chargers third round pick in the NFL Draft on April 29, 2011. Staff Sgt, Gutierrez is one of the Air Force’s Airmen of the Year and attended day two of the three-day event as part of an NFL ceremony honoring all branches of the U.S. military. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jeremy Bratt)

The term “Draft” held an entirely different meaning recently to a group of U.S. Military when they were “called up” by the National Football League to attend its 2011 Draft from April 28-30. The highlight of the three-day event at Radio City Music Hall in New York City was during the first round when Commissioner Roger Goodell welcomed members of all branches of the United States Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, as well as the Wounded Warrior Project) to the stage, where they received a loud and long standing ovation that seemingly raised the roof of the iconic Manhattan venue, as the crowd chanted “USA, USA.” As the military paraded onto the stage, Goodell stepped to the podium and said, “This is a moment that we can all cheer for the same team,” and as the roar grew, the Commissioner added, “Give it to ‘em.”

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Submitted by ACG Correspondent John Ingoldsby, who attended the NFL Draft