Naval Academy Hosts NFL Pregame Show To Honor Servicemembers Before Veterans Day

ANNAPOLIS, MD — An NFL pregame show aired from the U.S. Naval Academy on Sunday. The broadcast, "Fox NFL Sunday," was part of the network's annual salute to service. The tradition centers around Veterans Day, which is this Thursday.

"I think there’s something special when it is in front of the students," Fox Producer Bill Richards said in a press release. "They have such tough days, and this is just kind of a day off for them to have fun with the guys and to be part of it."

The program included a spotlight on New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick. The Annapolis High School graduate grew up around Navy football.

His father, Steve Belichick, was a scout at the academy for more than 30 years. Those roots earned Bill Belichick a key to the city this April.

The show also featured appearances from several Midshipmen, including Brigade Commander Jackie R. Booker Jr. The leader of the student body paid tribute to Naval Academy graduates who died in the line of duty.

Fox additionally honored influential veterans. The broadcast recognized Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, an early pioneer of computer science in the military.

Actor Tom Cruise joined the action. He narrated the program's opening remarks and thanked servicemembers for their bravery.

The pregame concluded with a performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

This was the second time in three years that "Fox NFL Sunday" hosted a broadcast from a military academy. The crew went to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for its 2019 salute.

"For our group and all the people that make our Sunday show happen, it’s their favorite thing to do," analyst Howie Long said of the special episode. "I think it’s a great reminder of all the sacrifice that many have made over the course of the history of our country."

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