>(NEW YORK) — The military group American Veterans (AMVETS) says the NFL has rejected its full-page Super Bowl program ad that contained the hashtag “#PleaseStand.” The ad Nick Chubb Jersey , with the picture a color guard holding the American flag, also included a call to donate $20 to AMVETS.The ad jumps right into the controversy surrounding NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem, originally stoked by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick prior to last season and recharged after inflammatory comments by President Donald Trump last September.In a letter sent to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, AMVETS National Commander Marion Polk wrote that “freedom of speech works both ways.” Polk goes on to say, “We respect the rights of those who choose to protest,” but “imposing corporate censorship to deny those same rights to those veterans who have secured it for all is reprehensible.”Goodell said in a letter to teams in October that the NFL believes everyone should stand for the anthem, but added, “We also care deeply about our players and respect their opinions and concerns about critical social issues.”The NFL released a statement on Monday Kerryon Johnson Lions Jersey , saying they did not accept the ad due to it making a “political statement.”“The Super Bowl program is designed for fans to commemorate and celebrate the game, players, teams, and the Super Bowl. It has never been a place for advertising that could be considered by some as a political statement,” NFL Vice President of Communications Brian McCarthy said in the statement.McCarthy says AMVETS submitted the “Please Stand” ad (with no hashtag) last Wednesday. McCarthy says the NFL approved other tag lines, such as “Please Honor Our Veterans” or “Please Stand for our Veterans,” but the organization did not respond and the program went into production without the AMVETS ad.McCarthy says the NFL delayed printing of the program specifically to wait for a response. It was only after the program had gone into production that the group asked to add the hashtag, he said.McCarthy says the NFL will continue to salute service members during the Super Bowl with “on-field moments that will be televised as part of the game.”In the letter to the NFL commissioner Shaquem Griffin Seahawks Jersey , Polk writes that “veterans are good for more than just military aircraft flyovers, photo opportunities during halftime, or props to sell camouflage-style NFL apparel.”Trump told people at a campaign rally in Alabama last September that owners should say, “Get that son of a b—- off the field right now” if they “disrespect the flag.” He returned to the topic multiple times on during the NFL season, repeatedly criticizing players who kneeled and blaming declining NFL ratings on the controversy.Copyright © 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
The Pittsburgh Penguins could lug a briefcase full of grudges into Game 3 of their second-round playoff series Tuesday night against the Washington Capitals at PPG Paints Arena.

They swear they won’t do that.

The Capitals won 4-1 Sunday in Game 2 to give the teams a split of the first two games in Washington.

In that game, the Penguins thought a Capitals goal could have been waved off because of what they thought was interference by Brett Connolly on Pittsburgh goaltender Matt Murray; thought they should have been awarded a goal after a review; and were upset about a hit by Tom Wilson to the head of Pittsburgh’s Brian Dumoulin that knocked the defenseman out of the game and into the NHL’s concussion protocol.

By the end of practice Monday, the Penguins were ready to push ahead.

“It doesn’t do us any good moving forward James Daniels Jersey ,” Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said of holding onto the anger. “That’s the motivation to move on. We did some good things, especially in the second and third (periods) and we’ll build off of that, but worrying about the other stuff isn’t going to help us. We have a lot of good things to take away from that game.”

Dumoulin practiced Monday and is considered a game-time decision in terms of Tuesday’s lineup. He declined to comment on the fact that there was no penalty in the game for the hit and will be no supplemental punishment from the NHL, which did not set a hearing for Wilson.

“The league is a neutral party,” Washington coach Barry Trotz said when asked about Wilson’s hit before the Capitals flew to Pittsburgh on Monday.

“They look at it. Each organization, each fan base will have their own opinions. That’s why there’s a neutral party in this.”

Trotz pronounced his club healthy and ready to dress the same lineup for Game 3.

Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said Dumoulin and two other prominent players are game-time decisions: center Evgeni Malkin, who was close to returning Sunday from a lower-body injury he suffered in Game 5 in the first round, and winger Carl Hagelin Terrell Edmunds Steelers Jersey , who sustained a facial injury in Game 6 of the first round. Both practiced Monday, Hagelin with full face and jaw protection.

Regardless of those players’ status, the Capitals are wary of Pittsburgh despite their win Sunday. In Game 1, the Penguins overcame a two-goal deficit with three quick goals in the third period for a 3-2 win.

“We know what they’re about, and we know that they’ve got guys that can hurt you,” Connolly said. “In Game 1, that was tough. We played a really good game, I think Authentic Vontaze Burfict Jersey , and they just kind of found a way to get some breaks and score some timely goals. I think we learned from that (in Game 2). We weren’t as loose; I think we were a little more solid as the game went on.”

Trotz hopes that carries over.

“You can never take your foot off the gas,” he said.

Washington dominated play early and scored first in both games. The Capitals have potted the first goal in seven of their eight postseason games and are outscoring opponents 10-2 in the first period.

Pittsburgh is bracing for a similar onslaught but hopes to match or top it this time.

“You expect them to come out hard. That’s pretty standard,” Crosby said. “You have to find a way to either counter that or weather it. The first two games, we gave up a goal pretty early to give them some momentum. I think we just need to make sure that we’re on our toes, and that we have that mentality of playing with that same desperation.”

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