The end zones in Oxford, Mississippi are going to look a little bit different for this weekend’s college football matchup between Ole Miss and Louisiana Monroe. It is military appreciation week!
To honor the servicemen and women who put their life on the line for our country, the Rebels will take the field with the stars and bars on their helmets. In lieu of the standard helmet decals, they will rock navy blue lids with an ‘OLE MISS’ decal that is painted with the stars and bars.
That will also be the case with the logo at midfield. It will be painted red, white and blue.
This is not the first year that Ole Miss has done something like this. The ‘Military Appreciation Game‘ typically falls on Veteran’s Day weekend, but an away game did not allow for that to happen.
Veterans will be honored throughout the game. A flyover will take place before kickoff. Last year, a serviceman parachuted onto the field with an American flag while Guns and Roses blared throughout the stadium.
It is always done well and it is always a special afternoon, regardless of the opponent.
The Rebels keep most things the same, but they are doing one thing differently this year. The end zones are getting a fresh paint job.
LSU honored Army by painting its end zones with camouflage colors back in October. Ole Miss is doing the same, with a twist.
End zones in Oxford typically read ‘OLE MISS’ or ‘REBELS.’ Rarely do they display any other wording.
This weekend is an exception! They will not feature the university’s name or its mascot.
Instead, in an extremely on-the-nose gesture, the end zones will say ‘THANK YOU’ to veterans. Literally.
As Ole Miss football plays its final home game of the season on Saturday, the Rebels will be playing for something greater than themselves. They will honor our troops with every touchdown scored!