The National Football League (NFL) and The Royal British Legion have teamed up to work in partnership for Remembrance around this season’s International Series games in London.
The partnership will be highlighted at the NFL’s third regular-season game at Wembley Stadium this season, when the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Dallas Cowboys on 9 November, Remembrance Sunday.
The uniforms and helmets of the two teams will feature the Legion’s iconic Poppy logo, which will also be displayed on the Wembley pitch.
Fundraising for the Poppy Appeal will take place at the game, which will form part of the NFL’s annual Salute to Service programme.
At the end of the match, 80,000 poppies will be dropped into the Wembley stands and the uniforms worn by the players will be auctioned via www.nflauction.nfl.com, with proceeds going to the Poppy Appeal.
Alistair Kirkwood, managing director of NFL UK, said: “We are very pleased to be able to mark Remembrance Sunday with this partnership.
“The NFL has a tremendous respect and admiration for the service given by the military, both in the US and UK, and we are honoured to be able support the Poppy Appeal through fund-raising and integration of the Poppy into our game at Wembley.”
Charles Byrne, director of fundraising for The Royal British Legion, said: “For the Poppy Appeal to be recognised by the NFL shows that the respect and recognition for our Armed Forces extends far beyond here in the UK.
“We are proud to be working in partnership with the NFL at their Remembrance Sunday fixture and I look forward to seeing the Poppy worn on NFL uniforms for the first time.”
The Poppy Appeal is the Legion’s biggest fund-raising campaign, running year-round. Lapel poppies are available from collectors and in shops, supermarkets, pubs and clubs from the last week in October until Remembrance Sunday, or 11 November.
The money raised by the Poppy Appeal supports the Legion’s work for the Armed Forces community, past and present
More than 40 million Remembrance poppies, 500,000 poppies of other types, 5 million Remembrance petals, 100,000 wreaths and sprays, 750,000 Remembrance Crosses and other Remembrance items are made at the Poppy Factory each year.
Following last Sunday’s game at Wembley between the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders, in front of a crowd of 83,436, the NFL’s International Series continues on Sunday 26 October, when the Atlanta Falcons host the Detroit Lions.
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