Super Bowl Top 10: Military-themed hype and more for the big game

By: Kevin Lilley, Army Times

Did you miss some tidbit of military-themed Super Bowl hype? Was there an angle that went under your radar while you attempted to maintain pre-game productivity? Here’s a handy cheat sheet to prep you for the big game:

1. Military man: New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona will be the only service academy representative (and only reservist) to participate in Sunday’s game.
2. Pre-game pomp: This year’s military flyover will go old school (P-51 Mustang) while featuring a modern favorite (A-10 Warthog). Fifteen Medal of Honor recipients will take part in the coin toss
3. On deployment: Troops worldwide will be able to see the game via American Forces Network.
4. Ads (not the funny ones). AMVETS said the NFL’s rejection of its planned “Please Stand” ad for the Super Bowl program amounted to censorship; the NFL said it didn’t want political statements in the program. AMVETS has since created a #PleaseStand public service announcement.
5. More anthem. Super Bowl prop bets aren’t the most scientific measure, but the odds of a player taking a knee during the national anthem have gone down since last year.
6. Good guys, Part I. Eagles defensive end Chris Long is donating his entire 2017 salary to education programs.
7. Good guys, Part II: Air Force Reserve Capt. Ben Garland’s Atlanta Falcons didn’t make a return Super Bowl appearance, but Garland’s friend and fellow Air Force family member, 3-year-old Cooper Dean, will be on hand.
8. Quick trivia: The Vince Lombardi Trophy, which the winners will hold after Sunday’s contest, is named for a Packers legend whose coaching career included a stint at West Point
9. Breaking nat-sec news. Have you ever wondered which team you should cheer for, strictly from the perspective of national security and American force projection?
10. Puppy power. Do you like your on-field action a bit more fuzzy? Veterans will have a rooting interest in this year’s Puppy Bowl.