Profiles
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.
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.
http://gty.im/1190306201LJ59 Rusty Baynes, U.S. Marine Corps, 1988-94
http://gty.im/1228501615LJ44 SSgt. Frank LeBlanc, Texas Army National Guard, 1983-2004
http://gty.im/1183900979FJ109 Dyrol Prioleau, U.S. Air Force, 1982-2005
http://gty.im/1182936234SJ31 Tech Sgt. Mearl Robinson, U.S. Air Force, 1998-2018
http://gty.im/1197002845BJ12 Greg Steed, U.S. Marine Corps and Reserves, 1986-94
RO Matt Sumstine, U.S. Navy, 1980-84
http://gty.im/596896234BJ38 Greg Yette, U.S. Army Infantry, 1991-92
Additionally, replay official Carl Madsen — who is currently on leave this season as part of the pandemic opt-out plan — was a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force from 1973-76.
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: Getty Images, Hawaii Football Officials Association (Sumstine).