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A salute to the veterans in stripes

We recognize with profound respect all those who have served our country on this day, and we salute the veterans on the NFL officiating staff.

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We recognize with profound respect all those who have served our country on this day, and we salute the veterans on the NFL officiating staff.

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LJ59 Rusty Baynes, U.S. Marine Corps, 1988-94

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LJ44 SSgt. Frank LeBlanc, Texas Army National Guard, 1983-2004

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FJ109 Dyrol Prioleau, U.S. Air Force, 1982-2005

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SJ31 Tech Sgt. Mearl Robinson, U.S. Air Force, 1998-2018

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BJ12 Greg Steed, U.S. Marine Corps and Reserves, 1986-94

RO Matt Sumstine, U.S. Navy, 1980-84

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BJ38 Greg Yette, U.S. Army Infantry, 1991-92

Additionally, replay official Carl Madsen — who is currently on leave this season as part of the pandemic opt-out plan — was a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force from 1973-76.

We also extend our thanks to our colleague, Football Zebras writer Rich Madrid, a 10-year U.S. Navy veteran who was deployed three times to the Middle East.

In time, we may see many more veterans in stripes, thanks to Battlefields to Ballfields — a charitable organization founded in 2016 by Mike Pereira that trains and equips veterans for officiating.

Photos: Getty Images, Hawaii Football Officials Association (Sumstine).

Ben Austro is the editor and founder of Football Zebras and the author of So You Think You Know Football?: The Armchair Ref's Guide to the Official Rules (on sale now)

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