The NFL has denied advertising space in the Super Bowl program for a veterans group that declined to alter language about standing for the national anthem.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed Tuesday that American Veterans, or AMVETS, submitted an advertisement last week to the game program with the message, "Please Stand."
McCarthy said the league, which has editorial control over the content, asked AMVETS to consider other options for the message, such as "Please Honor our Veterans" or "Please Stand for our Veterans." The two organizations were unable to agree on language in time to meet production deadlines.
Commissioner Roger Goodell was sent a letter dated Monday from AMVETS national commander Marion Polk to express the organization's dismay with the league's decision.
"Freedom of speech works both ways. We respect the rights of those who choose to protest, as these rights are precisely what our members have fought -- and in many cases died -- for," Polk said in his letter to Goodell. "But imposing corporate censorship to deny that same right to those veterans who have secured it for us all is reprehensible and totally beyond the pale."
