Carolina Panthers to Honor Fallen Heroes during Salute to Service Game Nov. 13 against Kansas City
For second consecutive season, Panthers will wear initials of fallen service members on helmets
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — To honor the memory of those who died while in service to our country, Carolina Panthers players will wear a decal with the initials of a fallen service member on their helmets Nov. 13 when they face the Kansas City Chiefs. During the game, the service members will be honored in video tribute and their loved ones will be welcomed onto the field between the first and second quarters to receive a replica helmet with the decal, signed by their player.
This marks the second consecutive season in which the Panthers have worn the initials of fallen service members after debuting the effort in 2015.
“The men and women of the Armed Forces, and their families, embody the best of our country,” Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said. “We are grateful beyond measure for their service, commitment and sacrifice. It is a privilege to recognize all those who serve, and an honor to remember the legacy of our fallen service men and women.”
The week of the game, each player will receive a bio and picture of the service member they will honor. All fallen heroes have a connection to the Carolinas – they were natives of the region, trained or deployed from a base in the Carolinas. Recognized service members were identified and randomly paired with players with the help of the USO of North Carolina and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).
This special recognition during the Nov. 13 game is part of the Panthers’ and the NFL’s annual Salute to Service military appreciation campaign. Every year, the NFL and the NFL Players Association come together in honor of Veterans Day to celebrate and recognize members of the military as part of the league’s Salute to Service. The league’s military appreciation efforts, which extend throughout the year, culminate in November with NFL Salute to Service games and other special events honoring veterans, active-duty service members and their familiesSince 2011, nearly $10 million has been raised through Salute to Service to support the league’s military appreciation non-profit partners, USO, Pat Tillman Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project. In honor of the men and women who serve our country, the NFL will again donate $1,000 for every point scored during the NFL’s 32 Salute to Service games to the partners. The NFL donates 100 percent of proceeds from the sale of Salute to Service merchandise at retail and on NFL Auction to its military non-profit partners. The NFL does not profit from the sale or auction of Salute to Service merchandise. For more information on the Salute to Service visit www.nfl.com/salute.
