NFL Icons Respond After White House Uses Their Footage in Controversial Iran Strike Montage

Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, both Pro Football Hall of Famers, publicly criticized the White House on Sunday for incorporating their footage into a video that supports military actions against Iran.

Last week, the White House released a social media video that included clips of the former Baltimore Ravens stars from their NFL careers.

One segment features Lewis executing a pivotal block during a 2002 “Monday Night Football” game, allowing teammate Chris McAlister to return a missed field goal for a remarkable 107-yard touchdown. Another clip showcases Reed delivering a significant hit on Indianapolis Colts cornerback Waine Bacon in 2004.

This video juxtaposes these NFL highlights with recent footage from U.S. Central Command, which reportedly depicts missile strikes in Iran. Iranian health officials have reported over 1,200 fatalities due to U.S.-Israeli military actions since late last month.

Accompanied by the AC/DC anthem “Thunderstruck,” the video is titled “Touchdown” and intersperses bombing visuals with clips of various NFL and college football players making impactful plays.

A spokesperson for Lewis confirmed that neither he nor his team was consulted prior to the video's release. “This is something we do not agree with and would like Ray to be removed,” the representative stated in an email.

In a response to journalist Ben Jacobs on X, Reed succinctly expressed his disapproval: “I do not approve this message.”

The authenticity of other footage in the White House video, purportedly showing actual strikes on Iran, remains uncertain.

Previously, the White House faced backlash for using footage from the 2022 sinking of a decommissioned U.S. Navy frigate in a promotional video labeled “Lethality 🔥🦅.”

Reed has been vocal against Trump in the past, notably in 2017 when the president questioned why the NFL received “massive tax breaks” while players protested racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem. “Dear Mr. President, you’re right about everything but the players that are protesting the injustice this country has done to people since the 1600s,” Reed tweeted.

Just days before this incident, Reed had criticized Trump over various controversies in another post. “Our President said he would grab what again? Did he apologize? Dude throwing paper towels, did he apologize?” he wrote.

The White House has faced scrutiny for producing controversial clips featuring celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter and Ben Stiller without their consent. Additionally, last week, old MLB footage was also used in a wartime promotional video that combined home runs with images of strikes and explosions.