Reports surfaced from Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake yesterday that a number of Sports teams in the United States had taken money for "Paid Patriotism" for appearances by a variety of Armed Forces Groups.

And yep, our very own Colorado Rapids were on that list as receiving money for appearances from the Colorado Army National Guard in fiscal year 2014.

In short, the United States taxpayers paid the Rapids $100,000 (Contract number W912LC-14-P-0089) for:

Three Color Guard Ceremonies

--and--

One Canon Fire Ceremony

Now it is important to note that the Rapids are not in any way shape or form the only team on this list. In addition to the Rapids, Seattle Sounders, Columbus Crew SC, Real Salt Lake, D.C. United, FC Dallas, LA Galaxy, and Houston Dynamo were also on that list. Along with Major League Soccer, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball were on that list. So the Rapids were not the only ones.

BUT, this is absolutely disgusting that ANY sports team would take money from the military for an appearance or request the military pay for appearances. These are men and women that are willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and our way of life. And any sports team that takes money from this should be ashamed.

The staff of Burgundy Wave strongly urges the Rapids to take that $100,000 and donate it back to the Colorado Army National Guard as a sign of good faith and doing the right thing.