By Mike Fisher | @fishsports

IRVING (CBSDFW.COM) -- A connection between the NFL and the U.S. Military that appears to be an effort by the league to support our troops is actually an advertising agreement that for the last four years has resulted in the U.S. Defense Department putting $5.4 million into the coffers of NFL teams.

The league's "salutes'' to the military — well-intentioned as they may otherwise be — cost the National Guard and the Department of Defense $377,000 in the case of their association with the New York Jets, according to a NJ.com study. A total of 14 NFL teams have benefited from what might be called a "Pay-For-Patriotism'' arrangement, including the Dallas Cowboys, who in 2011 received $62,500.

"Those of us (who) go to sporting events and see them honoring the heroes," U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) told NJ.com, "get a good feeling in your heart. Then to find out they're doing it because they're compensated for it, it leaves you underwhelmed. It seems a little unseemly … They realize the public believes they're doing it as a public service or a sense of patriotism. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth."

The Bills, Bengals, Browns, Chiefs, Colts, Cowboys, Dolphins, Falcons, Jets, Packers, Rams, Ravens, Steelers and Vikings are the 14 teams that have been involved in the arrangement.

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