A salute to the veterans in stripes

We recognize with profound respect all those who have served our country on this day, and we salute the veterans on the NFL officiating staff.

LJ59 Rusty Baynes (USMC)

SJ109 Dyrol Prioleau (USAF)

DJ90 Mike Spanier (USAR)

FJ31 Tech Sgt. Mearl Robinson (USAF)

BJ12 Greg Steed (Persian Gulf War, USMC/USMCR)

RO Matt Sumstine (USN)

BJ38 Greg Yette (USA Infantry)

Click or tap an image above to open as slides.

 

Embed from Getty Images

RO Tom Sifferman (Vietnam War, USA)

Embed from Getty Images

RO 1st Lt. Carl Madsen (Vietnam War, USAF)

Of note, field judge Mearl Robinson completed his 20 years of service in the U.S. Air Force in 2018.

We also extend our thanks to our colleague, Football Zebras writer Rich Madrid, a 10-year U.S. Navy veteran who was deployed three times to the Middle East.

In time, we may see many more veterans in stripes, thanks to Battlefields to Ballfields — a charitable organization founded in 2016 by Mike Pereira that trains and equips veterans for officiating.

Photos: Baynes (Kansas City Chiefs), Prioleau (Philadelphia Eagles), Robinson (Ben Austro/Football Zebras), Spanier (Oakland Raiders), Steed (Carolina Panthers), Sumstine (Hawaii Football Officials Association).