Before the @NFL took the field in Paris, some of its leaders and legends took time to remember. 🇺🇸 Pro Football Hall of Famer Mel Blount, former NFL player @Mathieu_Era, New Orleans @Saints owner Gayle Benson, Pittsburgh @Steelers President Art Rooney II, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell visited Suresnes American Cemetery to honor the Americans commemorated there. A meaningful moment of remembrance connecting generations through service and sacrifice. 🙏 📸 @USEmbassyFrance

Before the @NFL took the field in Paris, some of its leaders took time to remember American service members buried overseas. 🇺🇸 New Orleans @Saints owner Gayle Benson, Pittsburgh @Steelers President Art Rooney II, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell paid their respects to the men and women buried at Suresnes American Cemetery, and laid a wreath at Sgt. Norman Clarke's grave. Clarke grew up in Edgerton, Wisconsin, where he played football for Edgerton High School. On Thanksgiving Day in 1916, he helped his small-town team defeat La Crosse, 7-0, in a game billed at the time as deciding Wisconsin’s high school championship. Clarke contributed 53 rushing yards to the victory. He graduated as president of his class in 1917, having already enlisted in the military. As a sergeant with the 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division, he deployed to France and took part in the fighting near Juvigny during the Oise-Aisne offensive. There, Clarke suffered the wounds that would prove fatal. He died Sept. 11, 1918. Today, he rests at Suresnes American Cemetery with more than 1,500 other service members who served during World War I and World War II. 📸 @USEmbassyFrance