Gophers football helmets get personal for Veterans Day

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The University of Minnesota football team will be honoring veterans when it hosts its annual Military Appreciation Day this Saturday, which is also Veterans Day. 

The Gophers team has partnered with the University of Minnesota’s Student Veterans Association to honor and recognize veterans who have a close connection to the university. 

Each Gophers player will have the last name of a current or former U of M student who served in the military featured on the back of their helmet. The helmet will also display a logo reflecting the military branch the veteran served in.

Minnesota’s coaches and support staff will also participate by displaying the name of a veteran and their military branch detail on their game day apparel.

Over 250 veterans signed up to participate in Saturday’s events.

Prior to the game at the TCF Bank Stadium there will be a flyover by the T-6 Thunder. The four Vietnam-era planes will fly over the stadium after the national anthem is played.

Minnesota will welcome a military veteran for the coin toss. There will also be in-game recognitions for the military.