The ad was real and the NFL denied it primarily because of the image of an AR-15 at the end. Daniel Defense offered to remove the gun image and replace it with an American flag but was still denied.
This was the first time I had seen the commentary, couldn't agree more with what was said but would add a few things. Primarily, I have a problem with the NFL's subliminal endorsement of a lifestyle that encourages abuse of women, drugs, alcohol, and perpetuates violent crime through the misuse of firearms. Ironically, I think Daniel Defense has garnered more positive attention from this controversy than they would have with the airing of the ad during the Super Bowl. Compared to the hundreds of millions of dollars spent by other advertisers, the DD ad, even though it has a powerful message, lacks the attention grabbing cleavage of a Go Daddy ad or the epic stupidity often characterized by a beer swilling sports fan. Seems the NFL ad council has become another propaganda arm. JMHO