"GIs of the Gridiron" scores with pro football.

The inspiring patriotic documentary "GIs of the Gridiron," produced by the DAV, has scored big with National Football League teams and other groups.

"It is proving successful beyond our expectations," said Washington Headquarters Executive Director David W. Gorman, "Millions of people are expected to see this documentary featuring some of the greats of professional football who served in our nation's military."

Copies of the video were sent in early September to NFL teams, the NFL League Office in New York, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL), and other organizations,

"It was shown during a Remembrance Breakfast at the NFWL's 67th Annual Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., on Sept. II," said National Legislative Director Joseph A. Violante, who also serves on the Foundation's Board of Directors. "It was very warmly received by the conference attendees and got raves from the many dignitaries there."

"Our women legislators are committed to honoring our nation's most valued heroes, and are grateful for the sacrifices that the GI's of the gridiron made," said NFWL President and CEO Robin Read. "Several of our elected women are planning to show this film in their districts."

The Pro Football Hall of Fame plans to debut "GIs of the Gridiron" during its Veterans Day program Nov. 12, and those attending will receive DAV posters featuring current and former professional football players who served our nation.

"The 'GIs of the Gridiron' is a spine-tingling video event," said Baltimore Ravens Senior Director of Broadcasting and Production Larry Rosen. "Many of us in the NFL search for ways to allow the popularity of our sport to have a wider and even more significant impact on our world, and 'GIs of the Gridiron' hit home."

"The stories are compelling-the depth of the sincerity of the life experiences of those profiled is powerful," he said. "We hope to expose this work to as wide an audience as possible."

The Cleveland Browns plan to show the documentary on the stadium scoreboard as part of its Veterans Day presentation during the Nov. G game against the Tennessee Titans. It addition, the Cleveland Browns plan to broadcast the video on television and add it to the team's Web site that week.

"Congratulations on a terrific feature on NFL players as war veterans," said Browns Vice President of Broadcasting and Production George Veras.

In addition to use by NFL teams, the NFL Network is scheduled to broadcast the documentary during the week around Veterans Day.

"The DAV has produced a poignant tribute to our many players who served in World War 1l, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and Iraq," said NFL Senior Director or Public Affairs Peter Abitante. "The intent is solely to inform and inspire fans with the recognition of the service and sacrifice of NFL players, and subsequently, all of our nation's veterans.

"We greatly appreciate the warm acceptance of the documentary by the NFL and NFL teams," said Gorman. "Professional football players have a long history of service to our country. In World War II, 638 NFL players served in uniform and 19 were killed in action."

Three members of the NFL received our nation's highest honor for heroism--the Medal of Honor during World War 11. Joe Foss, who became Commissioner of the American Football League in 1959, shot down 26 planes in the desperate

defense of Guadalcanal. Maurice Britt, an end for the Detroit Lions, suffered terrible wounds and lost his arm during heroic combat in Italy, and Jack Lummus, an end for the New York Giants, was killed defending his platoon of Marines on Iwo Jima.

During the Vietnam War, Buffalo Bills guard Bob Kalsu was killed in combat on an isolated jungle mountaintop, and Cleveland Browns tackle Don Steinbrunner died when his plane was shot down. Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman was killed April 212004, in the U.S. campaign against lighters of' the al-Qaida terror network and the former Taliban government along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, "When our nation called. the professionals of the NFL have served with courage and honor, showing they treasure freedom above all else," said Gorman. "They have proven that in war, and in the NFL, as the great Vince Lombardi said, 'the will to win and the will to excel are the things that endure."