REPORT: Packers, 13 other teams received taxpayer money for troo - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports

(WBAY) -- A number of NFL teams–including the Green Bay Packers–were paid taxpayer money to honor troops at games, according to a report from NJ.com.

The report, titled “Which NFL Teams got your federal tax dollars?”, says the Department of Defense paid $5.4 million to 14 teams from 2011-2014.

The report shows that the Packers were paid $400,000 on August 5, 2011; $150,000 on August 29, 2012; and $50,000 on August 15, 2014. Each payment came from the DoD.

The news comes at a time when lawmakers are working to cut military spending. Some have called these payouts wasteful.

NJ.com reports the National Guard defended the arrangement with the NFL, saying it is an ‘effective recruitment tool.'

CLICK HERE to read the full story from NJ.com and see what other teams were paid by the Department of Defense.