The NFL rejected an ad from the American Veterans organization (AMVETS) for the official Super Bowl LII program that encouraged fans to stand for the national anthem.
The ad would've taken up a full page with only the words "Please Stand" printed on it.
"The Super Bowl game program is designed for fans to commemorate and celebrate the game, players, teams, and the Super Bowl," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Erik Brady of USA TODAY Sports of the decision not to use the ad. "It's never been a place for advertising that could be considered by some as a political statement. The NFL has long supported the military and veterans and will again salute our service members in the Super Bowl with memorable on-field moments that will be televised as part of the game."
Early-season headlines were dominated by NFL players protesting social injustices by kneeling for the national anthem, though such demonstrations largely dissipated as the campaign progressed.
In a statement on its website, AMVETS said the NHL and NBA accepted the ad in question and will put it in the official programs for their respective All-Star Games. The organization called the NFL's decision an act of "corporate censorship," adding that it's "reprehensible and totally beyond the pale" to deny it the right to free speech.
In response, McCarthy said the NFL was willing to run a revised ad that showed support for the military and its veterans, but he was met with resistance.
"We looked to work with the organization and asked it to consider other options such as 'Please Honor our Veterans,'" he said. "They chose not to and we asked it to consider using 'Please Stand for Our Veterans.' Production was delayed as we awaited an answer. As the program was going to production, the organization asked about including a hashtag and was informed that approval would not be provided in time and was asked to approve the ad without the hashtag. The organization did not respond and the program ultimately went into production to meet deadlines."
