The USO is at Super Bowl LX this week, supporting troops and their families in partnership with the NFL as part of its Salute to Service campaign, as part of a 60-year relationship with the league.
“We're one of five national veteran service or military service organizations that the NFL supports throughout the season, and most importantly here at the Super Bowl,” said retired Army Lt. Gen. Mike Linnington, CEO of the USO. “So, we're really grateful for that support, and we have several events throughout the year with the NFL and with some of the NFL players and legends.”
The USO and NFL partnered for the Salute to Service Showdown, which brought military members together in a “Madden NFL” video game tournament. Together with the Washington Commanders, the several-week competition ended with the two winners and their “plus ones” being awarded tickets to the game.
“I'm sure they thought they had no chance to win when they entered the competition, but they persevered, they competed at the highest levels, and again, thanks to the NFL, the showdown is going to give an opportunity and experience for two service members, active duty service members today, to have a Super Bowl experience that never in their wildest dreams could they have imagined they'd have the opportunity to have.”
The USO’s Interactive Exhibit at the Super Bowl Experience, from now through Feb. 7, allows visitors to experience the life of a service member.
“You can send that service member a care package,” said Linninngton. “You know, when you're forward deployed, whether you're in Eastern Europe, or Africa, or the Middle East, or Asia Pacific, Korea, you know, some of our more remote locations. You really miss those essential toiletries and things that help, you know, you survive on a daily basis.”
He called the interactive exhibit a “great way to connect the American public with our service members through the USO, and let them know at the end of the day that America cares, and we especially care for the 170 or 200,000 service members that are deployed around the world in 170 countries.”
The USO is also marking its 85th birthday this year. Founded by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1941, and Linnington said that while its mission has expanded, the organization has been true to its roots and legacy of really providing a home away from home for service members, especially those who are overseas.
Linnington had hoped to see the Philadelphia Eagles return to the Super Bowl this year, but said he expects to see a close game Sunday between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.
“I think it's going to be a close game, I think it'll be in the 20s, and I really think it'll come down to the final drive,” he predicted.
Linnington stressed the USO is thankful for the NFL's support, which helps it deliver key programs, services, and experiences to service members all around the world.
“We couldn't do it without them,” he added.
For more information about the USO, visit here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.