What’s behind our focus for the big game

Harvey Langi opens his eyes, scared for his life and future. He looks towards the passenger seat and sees his unconscious wife bent over – blood everywhere. He can’t move his body because it’s completely smashed against the steering wheel.

“I remember policemen and firemen cutting open our car. The whole trip getting to the hospital – I was scared because I was just sitting there, not knowing if she was alive. I don’t know if we would be here today without the first responders,” shares Langi, Linebacker for the New York Jets.

This is just one of the 41M stories of people who wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for a first responder.

Another player, Carson Tinker, Long Snapper for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was thrown 70 yards by a vicious tornado in April 2011. Here’s a brief look at his story:

These are just two of the twelve stories told in a new campaign that shares emotional stories of life-changing situations and gratitude behind 11 players and a coach.

A campaign of gratitude

Last year, Verizon’s spot during the Super Bowl focused on thanking first responders. This year, we wanted to go deeper and bring forward real stories of how first responders have changed lives.

From car accidents to devastating natural disasters and house fires – each time a first responder answered the call to save their lives. Had it not been for a first responder, this is the team that wouldn’t be here.

The campaign kicks off with a :60 spot airing during the AFC and NFC Championship games  and culminates in a spot during the Super Bowl.

To show our continued support of first responders, Verizon has partnered with First Responders Outreach which provides grants for emergency relief, training, and essential equipment to help first responders perform to the best of their abilities. Until February 8, Verizon will donate $1 to First Responders Outreach for every social share of these NFL players’ stories including #AllOurThanks, up to $1.5M.

While working to bring these stories forward, the power of these stories and the first responders behind them became an inspiration to do more. There was simply too much to tell and the decision was made to expand on these stories in the form of a 30-minute documentary.

The documentary is executive produced by Peter Berg and premieres on Thursday, January 31 at the Verizon Experience at Super Bowl Live.

As we work to tell the amazing stories behind the team that wouldn’t be here, help support first responders by visiting https://allourthanks.com/. Until February 8, Verizon will donate $1 to First Responders Outreach for every social share of these NFL players stories including #AllOurThanks, up to $1.5M.

First responders answer the call. Our job is to make sure they can get it.