Boy Scouts will change name to Scouting America
The Boy Scouts of America announced its plan to rebrand to Scouting America, beginning in February 2025.
- David Montgomery, Scouting America’s spokesman, plugs scouting.
- Criticism of scouting America has been coming from many directions.
- The Lions running back, who is an Eagle Scout, said “scouting is tough.”
David Montgomery ‒ the Detroit Lions running back and Eagle Scout ‒ is promoting Scouting America again, this time in a short video in which he appeals to parents, telling them their kids can participate in sports and scouts.
“Football is tough, but scouting is tough, too,” he said, wearing a grey sweatshirt with the scouting logo on it. “What’s really tough is having to choose between the two. But the good news is, you don’t have to choose.”
“I did both,” he said. “Your kids, they can do both, too.”
In just a few sentences, Montgomery offered a rebuttal to those who worry there’s not enough time to be a young athlete and scout. He also indirectly challenged the view that the organization has “gone soft.”
Scouting America has been facing an image problem after a years-long sex abuse scandal that forced the organization to file for bankruptcy protection. Criticism of the organization has been coming from many directions.
Boy Scouts had been under pressure for years to allow gay scouts, gay leaders, and girls into its ranks, and now that it has, it is also up against other critics who question whether it is still an organization where boys can flourish.
Last month, NBC reported that the youth organization is even coming under fire from the military, which, traditionally, has been a big scouting supporter, allowing Eagle Scouts who enlist a bump in rank and pay.
According to NBC, an adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has recommended the Defense Department “cut ties with Scouting America,” suggesting it has become too “woke.”
In 2018, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church, decided it would end its relationship with the Boy Scouts of America and begin its own youth initiative.
At the same time, by opening the organization to girls, the Boy Scouts also created tension with the Girl Scouts, which expressed concern that the Boy Scouts were now attempting to poach their members. Girl Scouts also accused the Boy Scouts of trademark infringement.
As for Montgomery, who grew up outside Cincinnati and played football in high school and at Iowa State University, he is one of just 17 Eagle Scouts in the NFL.
In addition to recording the video, Scouting America — the new name for Boy Scouts of America — said Montgomery, 27, attended its national annual meeting last week in Orlando. He also recently earned his degree at Iowa State, donning a cap and gown last Saturday and finally graduated.
In interviews, Montgomery’s mother said she signed up her son for scouts as a boy because she thought he was too focused on sports, and the professional footballer has credited scouting with teaching him teamwork and resilience.
Montgomery, whose nicknames are D-Mo and Knuckles, was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2019, signed a deal with the Lions in 2023 and has a $18.25 million contract through 2027.
Scouting America hired Montgomery to be its Scouting Ambassador, the youth organization told the Free Press in December, but declined to give details of the agreement.
Last year, Montgomery was injured in a game against the Buffalo Bills but healed to play in Detroit’s playoff game against the Washington Commanders. The Lions still lost, falling short of their shot to play in the Super Bowl.
But in a Scouting Magazine report Montgomery said Boy Scouts helped him deal with the heartbreaking defeat because it taught him that “when you fall, you have to attempt to get back up.”
Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.