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MNF Open Features Veterans Week Salute

Before the Commanders clash with the Eagles tonight, ESPN showcases combat veterans who are fans of the respective teams in the MNF open. Here's the story behind it

I salute you, Lisa, but – you are going to cry, Eagles, cry!”

I salute you, Seth, but – we are going to kick your butt!”

Each week, the “open” for Monday Night Football is special. Tonight, the segment will focus on a special group: America’s veterans and active service members.

Seth Nieman (L), a former Army-West Point football player who served as a Special Forces officer and combat engineer in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Lisa Crutch, a sergeant military truck driver in the Iraq war and is an active member of the Wounded Warrior Project, star in the MNF open tonight. (ESPN)

Prior to the Washington Commanders-Philadelphia Eagles game at Lincoln Financial Field (8:15 ET, ESPN, ESPN Deportes), the pre-game video will feature two combat veterans (and opposing diehard fans), Seth Nieman (Washington) and Lisa Crutch (Philadelphia) as the centerpiece for the continuation of ESPN’s wide-ranging Veterans Week content.

“We wanted an open that accomplished two things – honoring our veterans and those actively serving while also servicing our fans ahead of a highly-anticipated Monday Night Football game with the undefeated Eagles,” said Martin Khodabakhshian, ESPN Feature and Creative Content Unit Producer.

“This was an especially unique opportunity because we have two of America’s most quintessential cities facing off,” said Maddy Kassel, Associate Director for MNF and ESPN Veterans Committee member and the proud wife of an active-duty helicopter pilot. “It is Philly and it is D.C. – literally freedom cities battling against each other.”

With the help of Kassel and her husband’s deep-rooted military connections, ESPN was able to gain the participation of Nieman, a former Army-West Point football player who served as a Special Forces officer and combat engineer in Iraq and Afghanistan. Although not a D.C. native, Nieman became a Commanders fan while being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, outside of Washington D.C., after losing his right leg from an explosion during his deployment.

They are both such positive people. Their optimism and their pride in the military is so strong; we were really able to make this an upbeat and positive story about sacrifice, service, and football. – Maddy Kassel, MNF Associate Director, regarding veterans Lisa Crutch and Seth Nieman, stars in tonight’s MNF open

Crutch, who suffers from invisible wounds – TBI and PTSD – served as a sergeant military truck driver in the Iraq war and is an active member of the Wounded Warrior Project. She has been an Eagles fan for her entire life despite being born and raised in New York City.

In late October, Khodabakhshian and a camera crew traveled to the homes of both Nieman and Crutch for the shoot.

“They are both such positive people,” said Kassel. “Their optimism and their pride in the military is so strong; we were really able to make this an upbeat and positive story about sacrifice, service, and football.”

Honoring Nieman and Crutch and taking into account the serious nature of their experiences while also striking a light-hearted, competitive tone was a balance Khodabakhshian was committed to finding.

“It was vital for us to be super sensitive with the language,” said Khodabakhshian. “We had a very candid conversation with ESPN’s military Business Employee Resource Group [ESPN SALUTE] to ensure our scripts were not insensitive to our Veterans.”

Nieman and Crutch, as well as their families, will star in the open and be ESPN’s guests at the game.

“I love that I work for a company that has a platform where we can truly honor their sacrifice by telling America their story,” Kassel said. “There are so many veterans that truly love sports and take pride in their teams – Seth and Lisa were perfect examples of that.”

This piece was edited and brought to life by Supervising Post Editor Warren Wolcott and Associate Producer Jacob Roen.

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