Some unsuspecting motorists got a surprise Thursday when they were stopped during a Birmingham police traffic safety checkpoint.

They got tickets, but not the kind that usually come with that type of law enforcement operation. Instead, they received free tickets for the upcoming Birmingham Iron vs. Salt Lake Stallions AAF football game.

Iron General Manager Joe Pendry joined officers at the city’s West Precinct about 11 a.m. Thursday to thank them for their service. From there, team representatives went out with police to a traffic safety checkpoint.

“This is a great way for us to build that bridge between police and the community,’’ said West Precinct commander Capt. Sean Edwards. “You can tell the citizens here are really enjoying this.”

“It’s a great way for us to show the police in a different light,’’ Edwards said. “This is a win-win for us today.”

The gesture was a lead-up to the Iron’s plans to honor Hometown Heroes, including police and firefighters, at Saturday’s game at Legion Field. In the season opener last Saturday, the Iron shut out the Memphis Express 26-0.

This weekend’s game is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, again at Legion Field.