Some NFL teams and the NRA have formed a "symbiotic"
relationship, according to Mike Freeman of the N.Y. TIMES,
and some NFL owners, GMs and league execs are "angered" that
the NRA is advertising on three teams' radio broadcasts.
Some team officials said that it was "irresponsible" to
allow the NRA to associate itself with pro football. One AFC
owner said, "It is almost comical. How can any team justify
this in light of what has happened to some of our players
recently?" The NRA has purchased ads on the radio
broadcasts of the Redskins, Lions, and Eagles, and an
association spokesperson called the NFL and NRA a "natural
fit." The advertisements use former players to speak on
behalf of the NRA. The Lions said they have not received
any complaints about the ads. NRA spokesperson Bill Powers
said that under an "umbrella" called NRA Sports, the NRA is
"likely" to expand the campaign to other NFL cities, as well
as other sports, such as NASCAR and MLB (N.Y. TIMES, 9/24).
FSN's Keith Olbermann, on the NRA ads: "No, Rae Carruth and
Ray Lewis do not appear in the spots" (FSN, 9/24).
