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IPFS News Link • Propaganda

US Government Propaganda at the Super Bowl

• By Abigail R. Hall Blanco

A man streaking in a skimpy pink leotard ran for more yards than the Kansas City Chiefs. If Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady keeps up his Super Bowl winning streak, he'll run out of fingers for rings.

The Super Bowl looked different this year in many ways. But one thing remained the same–the overwhelming displays of patriotism.

While Jazmine Sullivan and Eric Church belted out the National Anthem, viewers saw images of military personnel stationed in Kuwait wearing their camouflage. NFL players and coaches, hands over their hearts, turned toward the flag. The song came to an end with fireworks and the familiar military flyover. Three Air Force bombers conducted a "first-of-its-kind" trifecta flyover. The B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit, and B-52 Stratofortress were deployed from South Dakota, Missouri, and North Dakota, respectively. They met up in time for the festivities and have now returned to their bases. According to the Air Force, the display "demonstrates the flexibility of AFGSC's bombers and their ability to deploy anywhere in the world from the continental United States."

Highlighting the military is not a new thing for the National Football League. From surprise homecomings and on-field enlistment ceremonies, to members of various military outfits singing "God Bless America," to flyovers, the NFL has a long history of draping itself in the flag.


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