As we saw on the documentary "Not just a game" sports is a perfect vehicle to construct and perpetuate social norms of what it means to be a man, or a woman. Some of the attributions and expectations for men include not only displays of "manhood" and courage (toughen up) but patriotism and nationalism. But after the disclosure by the Department of Defense of the money spent to "honor the military" to professional sports team, it is reasonable to question this "paid patriotism" adding to the increasing criticism to the "non profit" status of multi-million dollar organizations like the NFL.

The reasons invoked by the Army include recruitment campaigns, while the Army recognized  that they are actually downsizing. Ten years ago during the war in Irak, the Army was recruiting in schools, it was recruiting Hispanics, who make the majority of field combatants (17.5%) and made up to 11% of the dead soldiers, when the percentage of Hispanic soldiers was only 9%. It was in 2002 that President Bush signed a polemic resolution giving path to citizenship giving path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who joined the Army. Many like Jesus Suarez del Solar became citizens after finding death in Irak. This inspired his father to found Proyecto Guerrero Azteca to promote conscience about what it means to join the Army, and to make sure that families of potential soldiers (parents have to authorize before age 18) know their rights and know the risks they face. Some of these families for instance did not even know that the draft was not mandatory

 and made up to 11% of the dead soldiers, more than the percentage of Hispanic soldiers. It was in 2002 that President Bush signed a polemic resolution giving path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who joined the Army. Many like Jesús Alberto Suárez del Solar became citizens after finding death in Irak, which inspired his father to found Proyecto Guerrero Azteca, to create conscience about what it means to join the Army, and to make sure that the families of potential soldiers know their rights and the risks they face. Some of these families for instance did not even know that this was not a draft, and it was not mandatory.

Chauvinism, patriotism and big bucks have very little to do with honoring the lives of our soldiers. it actually promotes brainwashing, imposing dominant ideologies and erasing everything that does not conform with these norms.

It is also a huge amount of money that could be used to build schools, to create jobs and opportunities for the less privileged who become a target when recruiting combatants, as for many joining the Army represents their only possibility of social advancement.

Religious references during these "patriotic" displays should also be challenged. Utilizing federal money to promote religious beliefs is a clear violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/defense-military-tributes-professional-sports_5639a04ce4b0411d306eda5e

http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/187905/0/muertos/irak/hispanos/

http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2013/03/130327_irak_decimo_aniversario_guerrero_azteca_vp