The Army Navy Game

Since 1890 the Army/Navy football game has been an inter-service rivalry that is mostly played for bragging rights.  This weekend will be the 112th meeting between the two teams.

The game is the last one played during the college season.  It is the only game on the schedule to give it the national attention it deserves.  This is a game where you didn't have to attend one of the academy's to have a rooting interest.  For the fans that watch, it comes down to what branch of service their family members served in.

I can remember watching the game with my dad and cheering for Army.  My dad served in the Army in Korea and my Uncle George served in Vietnam where he gave his life.

When I first started watching the Army/Navy game I did not realize that it was more then just a football game.  Until I was watching an episode of M*A*S*H and on the show everything at the unit had stopped because the Army/Navy game was on.

I never thought of those serving and deployed over seas, especially during times of conflict how much the game met to them.  Whether they were lucky enough to listen on a radio or be sitting on a battlefield waiting for score updates to come down the line.  The game for at least one day, made them feel just a little closer to home.

The 1941 game was played before the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  An eerie coincidence is the game program included a picture of the U.S.S. Arizona and the caption, "It is significant that despite the claims of air enthusiasts no battleship has yet been sunk by bombs.  Only eight days later the U.S.S. Arizona and three other battleships were sunk at Pearl Harbor.

President Kennedy a big football fan and Navy hero sent a telegram in 1963 to the Navy coach stating, "I hope to be on the winning side when the game ends."  It was sent two days before his assassination.  

The game was cancelled with the nation in morning.  When a grieving Jacqualine Kennedy thought the game should be played.  There could not be a more fitting tribute for her husband.  The game was played a week later and became known as the game that healed a nation.  Navy pulled off the win 21-15.

For the First Classmen this is their last game they will play as they will be off to finish their service commitments.  Very few players make it to the NFL with the biggest name be legendary Dallas QB Roger Staubach.  In times of war the game is played with heavy hearts, since some players will be deployed and not return home.

The most touching scene comes at the end of every game when the winning team stands alongside the losing team.  Facing the losing academy students they sing their alma mater and then they turn and do the same for the winning academy students.  This is done as a sign of respect for their military counterparts.

The game will be televised this Saturday on CBS with kickoff scheduled for 11:30.

For my dad and Uncle George, Go Army Beat Navy!!