NFL to celebrate USA's 250th anniversary with special football designs

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The United States is set to honor the 250th anniversary of the founding of the country in 2026. Next year is set to be one big celebration, and the NFL is doing its part to help celebrate.

In a press release on Wednesday, the NFL announced the use of specially emblazoned footballs, coins, wording on sidelines and team merchandise to commemorate the anniversary, starting in Week 18 this season.

Week 18 will take place on January 3-4, the first weekend of the new year. "Beginning in Week 18 of the regular season and continuing throughout the playoffs, the NFL will celebrate the semi-quincentennial on-field in NFL stadiums across the country, as well as during game broadcasts," read the release. "Special commemorative footballs featuring the America 250 logo will be predominantly utilized in games. In addition, every game in Week 18 and throughout the playoffs will feature an America 250 stencil on the sidelines. Game officials will also use America 250 branded coins for the coin toss, which will later be auctioned off for charity on the NFL Auction platform."

Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase special America 250 team apparel later this year, into next season.

This is not the first time the NFL has used special branded footballs, or even celebrated a United States anniversary. The most recent example of the branded footballs is when the NFL celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019. "The NFL has a storied history of amplifying milestone moments in our nation’s history," the release said. "In 1976, the NFL celebrated America’s 200th anniversary, including on-field recognition through special helmet decals and jersey patches."

The Denver Broncos will play the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18, and in a special touch, will be wearing similar jerseys to what they wore in 1976, their beautiful Orange Crush throwbacks.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL news: League rolls out special football design, coins in Week 18