15,000 fans have signed a furious petition demanding action after the White House released a video combining NFL highlights with footage of the airstrikes in Iran
12:53 ET, 18 Mar 2026
NFL logo at Orchard Park
View Image
NFL highlights were used in a video by the White House about the airstrikes in Iran
A wave of frustration among National Football League fans has spilled beyond the field, with supporters launching a petition against the White House.
The White House has come under intense criticism after posting a controversial video this month that mixed footage of NFL highlights with scenes of US air strikes in Iran. The montage, widely shared on social media, drew backlash from former players and commentators who called the juxtaposition of violent gameplay with real‑world military action inappropriate and insensitive.
Article continues below
Among the critics was former NFL safety and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark, who described the video as one of the most “insensitive” he’s seen and said war should never be treated like a sports highlight. Meanwhile an Asian soccer chief makes their stance clear on Iran playing at the World Cup.
Article continues below
READ MORE: Caitlin Clark set for massive pay bump as new CBA finally agreedREAD MORE: Carson Beck eyed as potential replacement for NFL legend as pre-draft visit turns heads
Clark said on his Pivot podcast last week: “I’m disappointed because, for one, to have Tropic Thunder and football highlights on a video about war is one of the more insensitive things that I’ve ever seen.
"There are families here in our country whose loved ones have decided to give their life to fight for our rights and our freedoms, who don’t see war as a sport. War doesn’t deserve a highlight film, for Tropic Thunder to be a part of it. War is not a comedy.
“And for these people to be risking their lives, not for our safety as much as for someone else’s agenda, for our regime to be as unserious, as unprofessional, as laughable, and as illegitimate as our leadership is right now, is embarrassing.”
More than 15,000 people have now signed a petition, through ThruSports, urging the NFL to take serious action. It reads: "This week, the White House released a video that combined NFL highlight footage with images of U.S. airstrikes in Iran. The video features AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck' and juxtaposes big football tackles with U.S. missiles hitting Iran.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
"This comes as we're learning that it was likely a U.S. bomb that flattened an elementary school in Iran, killing at least 175 people, mostly children. The NFL should want no part of this deadly war.
"The NFL is well known for aggressively protecting its intellectual property and game footage from unauthorized use. So far, the league has not taken legal action or publicly addressed the video.
"Football is a sport — not a tool for glorifying war and death. The NFL needs to demand that the White House take down this video and not use any of its footage for war propaganda."
Supporters argue that football should unite fans rather than be used to promote an unpopular war or trivialize the death and destruction in Iran.
Article continues below
READ MORE: Tom Brady sent Joe Burrow firm text after QB was seen leaving Oscars party with 3 womenREAD MORE: NFL fans send thoughts and prayers to quarterback after mind-blowing trade
They say the NFL, which is usually quick to demand that platforms like X remove unauthorized use of its content, has been conspicuously silent on the issue.
Former players who are featured in the video, however, are pushing back and demanding that it be taken down. Hall of Fame player Ed Reed posted on X: "I do not approve this message.”
“For that play to be associated with bombing human beings makes me sick,” former player Kenny Bell told The Washington Post. “I don’t want anything to do with images like that.”