NFL Remains Silent as White House Uses Game Highlights in Iran-Related Propaganda

In an unusual convergence of professional sports and international conflict, the White House this week published a social media video promoting military strikes against Iran that incorporated NFL game footage set to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck,” raising questions about copyright usage and the appropriateness of mixing sports entertainment with warfare imagery.

The NFL, typically vigilant about protecting its footage rights, has remained conspicuously silent on the matter. The league did not respond to inquiries from Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio or Washington Post reporter Robert Klemko, who sought comment on the unauthorized use of NFL game highlights in a military propaganda video.

The White House production features a montage that alternates between professional football action and unclassified footage of missile strikes, all synchronized to the pulsing rhythm of “Thunderstruck.” The juxtaposition has drawn criticism from several athletes whose likenesses appear in the video without their consent.

Ryan Clark, former Pittsburgh Steelers safety and current ESPN analyst, voiced strong opposition during a forthcoming episode of The Pivot podcast. “To have ‘Thunderstruck’ and football highlights on a video about war is one of the more insensitive things that I’ve ever seen,” Clark stated. “There are families here in our country whose loved ones have decided to give their lives to fight for our rights and freedoms, who don’t see war as a sport. War doesn’t deserve a highlight film.”

Clark further criticized the administration’s approach, saying: “For our regime to be as unserious, as unprofessional, as laughable, and as illegitimate as our leadership is right now, is embarrassing. And it tells you the difference between a public servant and a reality star.”

The video also includes collegiate football footage, capturing former Nebraska receiver Kenny Bell, who told Klemko that seeing his likeness associated with missile strikes made him “sick” and called for the video’s removal. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Mason Foster, whose tackle on Chad Johnson appears in the clip, expressed being “at a loss for words” regarding his inclusion.

The NFL’s silence is particularly noteworthy given the league’s historical vigilance in protecting its intellectual property. For decades, the NFL has aggressively enforced its copyright claims, restricting unauthorized use of game footage across media platforms and even limiting how local news outlets can show highlights.

This incident occurs against the backdrop of the NFL’s evolving relationship with political and cultural tensions in America. In recent years, the league has demonstrated a willingness to navigate complex sociopolitical issues despite potential backlash from various corners of the political spectrum. The organization stood behind Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance despite criticism from conservative commentators and has gradually modulated its on-field messaging rather than abandoning it entirely.

The league’s calculation likely involves weighing several factors: its copyright interests, player concerns, public perception, and its relationship with federal authorities. The NFL benefits from a federal antitrust exemption, which provides significant business advantages but potentially complicates its response to governmental actions.

The White House’s decision to blend sports entertainment with military action represents an unusual crossover of cultural domains that traditionally remain separate in American public life. As of publication time, the video remains available on White House social media accounts, and the NFL has yet to indicate whether it plans to request its removal or take any other action regarding the unauthorized use of its content.