NFL says it will step in to provide military service members access to this weekend's AFC and NFC championship football games following government shutdown
- The impasse in Washington initially threatened a blackout of the AFC and NFC Championship games on Sunday
- The league said it intends to provide a free NFL Game Pass to United Service Organization (USO) facilities worldwide
- The NFL has been mired in controversy with the National Anthem protests
The NFL promised to provide access to the big game to US service members (Pictured: Commissioner Roger Goodell)
The US government shutdown will not prevent military service members stationed abroad from watching the Super Bowl after the National Football League promised to provide access to the big game.
The impasse in Washington initially threatened a blackout of the AFC and NFC Championship games on Sunday, with a blackout of The American Forces Network scheduled following the US government shut down that took effect Friday night.
But according to The Washington Post, the league said that it intends to step in and provide a free NFL Game Pass to United Service Organization (USO) facilities worldwide, enabling veterans to watch the big games uninterrupted.
Troops abroad will now be able to to watch the Patriots vs. Jaguars at 3.05pm ET and Eagles vs. Vikings at 6.40pm ET on January 21.
For military members who do not have access to a USO facility, the NFL said that it was scrambling to find a solution to get them access to the games, according to The New York Daily News.
Troops abroad will now be able to to watch the Patriots vs. Jaguars at 3.05pm ET and Eagles vs. Vikings at 6.40pm ET on January 21 (Pictured: NE Quarterback Tom Brady #12 and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles)
For military members who do not have access to a USO facility, the NFL said that it scrambling to find a solution (Pictured: Minnesota Vikings linebackers Eric Kendricks (54) and Philadelphia Eagles' Najee Goode (52) reacts with Dannell Ellerbe )
The NFL, a proud supporter of the armed forces, found itself mired in controversy this season after a protest movement calling for an end to police brutality in inner cities saw nearly every athlete in the league participate.
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began the protest movement last season. He remained an unsigned free agent throughout the 2017-2018 and has filed a complaint alleging the team owners colluded against him.
Most weeks, a handful of players — almost all of them black — have protested during the anthems. On Sept. 24, however, more than 200 players protested after President Donald Trump said owners should fire any players who didn't stand for the anthem.
The failure to find consensus on immigration and spending is a blow to Trump's presidency on the one-year anniversary of his inauguration - and perhaps more painfully, a blow to his brand as a wheeler-and-dealer.
Colin Kaepernick #7 and Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers kneel in protest during the national anthem (Pictured: September 12, 2016)
The funding feud, which led to a government shutdown at midnight Friday, is the second time Trump has dived into a negotiation and come up short on a top priority.
As with failed talks about overhauling the nation's health system, Trump has again slammed into the difficulties of Washington's particular mix of tricky politics and complex policy.
'Negotiating in politics is a lot different than real estate,' said GOP strategist Alex Conant.
'In Washington, not everybody wants to make a deal. Trump's initial premise that politicians just needed to be prodded more to make a deal was always flawed. Nobody runs for Congress because they want to compromise their principles. They want to advance their agendas.'
Democrats' agenda in this case is, chiefly, protection for the 700,000 young immigrants who may face deportation when the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program expires in March.
Republicans are seeking more time to talk and a long-term funding bill that with major increases for the Pentagon.
Meanwhile, events scheduled for Air Force Academy college athletics were cancelled this weekend due to the 'limitations imposed by the shutdown,' a spokesman told the Washington Post.
The men's and women's basketball teams, swimming teams, rifle teams, men's hockey and gymnastics also had events postponed on Saturday, the Post added.
Army and Navy, on the other hand, will continue to compete in scheduled athletic events.
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