Fans are invited to TIAA Bank Field Sunday afternoon to see the Jacksonville Jaguars host their division rivals, the Indianapolis Colts, in the team's annual military appreciation game. The matchup kicks off at 1 p.m. and will be televised on CBS and broadcast locally on WJAX-47.
JAGUARS' SALUTE TO SERVICE
The Jaguars, alongside generous corporate and individual donors, have partnered with the Greater Jacksonville Area USO to provide complimentary tickets to 5,000 active, retired and reservist military personnel and their families to this Sunday's game. In addition, Jaguars players have participated in a multitude of appreciation events throughout the last two weeks. Members of the team have visited Naval Station Mayport and Naval Air Station Jacksonville to meet local servicemen and women and show their gratitude.
THE FIRST DUUUVAL
This week, TIAA Bank Field welcomes Jaguars Strength and Conditioning Associate Sean Karpfto lead fans in the First DUUUVAL of the game. Following a career as a sergeant in the U.S. Army, during which time he earned a Purple Heart, Karpf joined the Jaguars in 2017 as an intern before transitioning to a full-time role for the 2018 season. In recognition of his commitment to country and in honor of all local military, the microphone atop the southeast flagpole tower will be turned over to Karpf moments before kickoff to get fans ready for the game. The First DUUUVAL is presented by Duval Motor Company.
MY CAUSE, MY CLEATS
Week 13 kicks off the third annual My Cause, My Cleats campaign across the NFL during which players debut custom cleats on the field. More than 45 Jaguars players have elected to participate by working with local and national artists to customize cleats to represent a cause or organization that is important to them. Each pair of shoes tells a personal story, and many will be donated to NFL Auction to raise funds for their chosen organization. Several players have chosen military and veteran organizations, including Telvin Smith Sr., who represented Wounded Warrior Project, and Taven Bryan, who represented Hunt for Heroes. To view the cleats of all Jaguars players, visit www.jaguars.com/mycausemycleats.
PREGAME PATRIOTISM
Following team introductions, this week's national anthem will be performed by former U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Mark J. Lindquist. He has performed live for more than three million people in 22 countries and 46 states throughout his career. Lindquist will be accompanied by students from the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, who will interpret for the hearing impaired. The colors will be presented by a joint services color guard. This Sunday's flyover will be performed by F-15s of the 125th Fighter Wing, a unit of the Florida Air National Guard, stationed in Jacksonville.
HALFTIME COMMITMENT TO COUNTRY
Halftime at this Sunday's Salute to Service game will feature a special on-field mass enlistment ceremony. More than 200 recruits enlisting in all five branches of the U.S. military will take the oath of enlistment as administered by Maj. Gen. Gary M. Brito, Commanding General, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence.
MILITARY HONOREES
During the game, the Jaguars will honor retired U.S. Navy Admiral Robert J. Natteras the Honoree of the Game presented by Dr. Patrick Basile. Natter enlisted in the Naval Reserve at age 17 in 1962. He eventually rose to the rank of Admiral, having progressed from the Navy's lowest rank of Seaman Recruit to four-star Admiral in just 41 years. In 2003, Admiral Natter completed his Navy career as Commander in Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, the first Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command and the Commander-in-Chief of the NATO Western Atlantic Command.
The SunPass® Hometown Hero is Spc. Jonathan Kaplanof the Florida Army National Guard. Since joining in 2013, Kaplan has deployed to the Horn of Africa as a part of Operation Inherent Resolve and has been a part of the relief efforts following Hurricanes Michael, Irma and Matthew. The First Data Veteran-Owned Business of the Game is former Lt. Wyndham Manning III. He served in the U.S. Army for three years and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. Today he is the president of New Atlantic Builders in north and central Florida. As the game enters the fourth quarter, the Navy Mutual Bell Ringer will be Lt. Cmdr. Jesse Schmidt. Currently serving in his 16th year with the U.S. Navy, Schmidt returned from a deployment to Afghanistan earlier this month.
BE PREPARED ON GAME DAY
Tickets to 2018 Jaguars games are completely mobile via the Official Jacksonville Jaguars app. Attendees should access their tickets before arriving at TIAA Bank Field and save them to a mobile device for easy access. Game tickets should be pulled up with barcodes ready as fans approach the stadium on game day to expedite entrance into the stadium.
The NFL's clear bag policy is in effect at TIAA Bank Field. Fans are encouraged to leave all bags at home, but, if necessary, it should be either a clear bag no larger than 12" x 6" x 12", or a non-clear bag no larger than 4.5" x 6.5." Strict size enforcement will be in place for all non-clear bags. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and plan accordingly for traffic. Fans should plan to be inside stadium gates at least one hour prior to kickoff.
GAME DAY TIMELINE
9:00 a.m. Stadium parking lots open
9:00 a.m. Game day ticket office opens (North end zone between Gates 2 and 3)
10:00 a.m. Fan Entertainment Zone opens (South end zone between Gates 1 and 4)
11:00 a.m. TIAA Bank Field seating bowl and all gates open
11:30 a.m. – noon The ROAR and Jaguars alumni autographs (Fan Entertainment Zone)
Noon Cat Signal
12:30 p.m. Pregame festivities begin including team introductions
12:59 p.m. First DUUUVAL
1:00 p.m. Kickoff
