A salute to the veterans in stripes

We recognize with profound respect all those who have served our country on Veterans Day on Monday. As we pause to reflect on their exceptional sacrifices in the defense of liberty and freedom, we also salute the veterans on the NFL officiating staff.

“Our union is proud to again take this opportunity to salute our nation’s veterans, active-duty service members and their families,” said NFL Referees Association president and current NFL umpire Carl Paganelli. “The NFLRA family today recognizes those in our ranks who have served our country and thank them for the sacrifices they have made.”  

LJ59 Rusty Baynes, U.S. Marine Corps, 1988-94, working the Eagles-Cowboys game this weekend.

DJ44 SSgt. Frank LeBlanc, Texas Army National Guard, 1983-2004, working the Dolphins-Rams game on Monday night.

FJ109 Dyrol Prioleau, U.S. Air Force, 1982-2005, working the 49ers-Buccaneers game this weekend.

FJ31 Tech Sgt. Mearl Robinson, U.S. Air Force, 1998-2018, who is off this weekend.

BJ12 Greg Steed, U.S. Marine Corps and Reserves, 1986-94, working the Vikings-Jaguars game this weekend.

RO Matt Sumstine, U.S. Navy, 1980-84, working the Bills-Colts game this weekend.

BJ38 Greg Yette, U.S. Army Infantry, 1991-92, working the Steelers-Commanders game this weekend.

RA Artenzia Young-Seigler, U.S. Army, U.S. Army National Guard, and U.S. Army Reserve, 1997-2005, who is also working the Steelers-Commanders game.

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, NFL handout photos