USAA, NFL to honor military at Pro Bowl

HONOLULU (AP) — The NFL and Pro Bowl presenting sponsor USAA will honor the military during the buildup to the Jan. 31 all-star game, and hold the draft of team rosters at Wheeler Army Airfield.

The game will be played at Aloha Stadium, after several military appreciation initiatives will occur throughout the week. USAA will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor as well, with a coin recognizing the anniversary that will be used during the game’s coin toss.

Among the events during Pro Bowl week will be NFL players and alums serving as a marine for a day on Jan. 28 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Players will get a hands-on tour of the different aspects of the Marines’ mission.

USAA also will host 50 military guests and wounded warriors at an official Pro Bowl practice on Jan. 29.

For the Pro Bowl draft on Jan. 27, representatives from all five military branches will be included in the televised draft format.

“Hawaii is home to more than 50,000 active military members and their families, and USAA’s Pro Bowl sponsorship is a powerful way to demonstrate our appreciation to the military community,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. John M. Bird, USAA senior vice president of Military Affairs, and former commander of the Pacific-based 7th Fleet. “Thousands of service members and their families will have the opportunity to interact with the NFL’s biggest stars during Pro Bowl Week through the many experiences USAA and the NFL will host together.

“With 2016 marking the 75th anniversary of the Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor, this is also a timely way for USAA to recognize the sacrifices made on that day and the impact this event had on our nation.”

USAA provides insurance, banking, investments, retirement products and advice to 11.2 million current and former members of the U.S. military and their families.