The NFL has been very keen on making sure fans and media members know that its footage is the property of the NFL. Naturally, when the White House’s official Twitter account used NFL game footage set to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” to promote the bombing campaign against Iran, many wondered if the league would address things in any way. Since Donald Trump has assumed office, the White House’s account has posted a number of questionable videos.
Per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the NFL did not respond to him when he asked for a comment on the video, which cuts NFL game footage with unclassified footage of missile strikes, set to AC/DC’s classic song.
One person in the NFL who weighed in on the video is ESPN analyst and former NFL player Ryan Clark.
“To have ‘Thunderstruck’ and football highlights on a video about war is one of the more insensitive things that I’ve ever seen,” Clark said, according to Awful Announcing. “There are families here in our country whose loved ones have decided to give their lives to fight for our rights and our freedoms, who don’t see war as a sport. War doesn’t deserve a highlight film.”
“For our regime to be as unserious, as unprofessional, as laughable, and as illegitimate as our leadership is right now, is embarrassing,” he continued. “And it tells you the difference between a public servant and a reality star. Because the reality star needs everybody to know at all times, ‘Look at me, look at the attention I’m garnering, we’re doing this for me.’ The public servant stands at attention for 45 minutes in a salute because he understands what those soldiers who gave their lives have done for our country.”
Others weighed in as well.
“I do not approve this message,” responded legendary safety Ed Reed, who was in the video.
“Players can’t even use their highlights for promotional material, but the government can for an illegal and pointless war?” one fan wondered aloud into the void.
It’ll be interesting to see if the NFL ever addresses the video and stands up to Trump’s brutal regime.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.