Yes, this game means a lot for the United States of America. Yes, to the casual fan it seems like a special reenactment. Yes, this is a time to bring people together and celebrate the sacrifice and service of all those who fight and defend and protect our freedoms. But don’t be confused by all the tradition and good feelings. This is a real football game with real ferocity and a whole lot of passion.
Both Brendan and I grew up in this rivalry. We have written a few times about this rivalry and about Army. It is a fact that the Army Mule is the greatest mascot ever.
We have a connection to Army because our father attended West Point and graduated just a few decades years ago. We have watched Army Football with the old man our entire lives. We still watch as many games as we can with him. I went back and watched the Air Force game with him this year, and I am happy to say I will be back to watch the Navy game with him this Saturday. Last year was the first time in my life that I hadn’t watched the game with my father. And it hurt. It didn’t feel the same. There is a very emotional connection our family has to this game. I’m sure that is the case for thousands of families around the country. This is our family’s rivalry game. I’m a proud Wofford College Alumnus. This game means more than any Citadel or Furman game. I am now a South Carolina Law Student and Gamecock Fan. This game means more than the Clemson game. I grew up watching North Carolina – Duke. A loss to Duke hurt for a few hours. Maybe a few days. A loss to Navy stuck with me for months. When I was a kid, I literally got nervous and somewhat sick to my stomach listening to the CBS College Football Theme because it reminded me of the Army – Navy Game. And for a long time, the Army – Navy Game reminded me of losing to the Naval Academy.
But that was then. The now? Well, after losing 14 straight games from 2002-2015, the Cadets have won the last two. Both in dramatic fashion. In 2016, it was Ahmad Bradshaw and the Army rushing attack that won the game for West Point. Army out-gained Navy 316-112 in rushing yards. The defense forced two interceptions. Yet, it was Bradshaw who pounded his way in for the game-deciding score that snapped the longest streak in the rivalry’s history.
Ahmad Bradshaw scored the TD that snapped a 14 year streak. Image from West Point Athletics.
In 2017, it was the Army Defense that started a new streak in the rivalry. In the snow, Army’s John Voit, a defensive tackle, ran about 40 yards down the field and caught Navy’s Malcolm Perry, one of the fastest players for the Midshipmen, and tackled him, preventing Navy from scoring what would have been the deciding touchdown.
This year, Army is 9-2 and Navy is 3-9. But don’t let the records fool you. In fact, disregard the records all together. This is America’s most intense rivalry. Anything can happen in this game. In 2015, Navy was 9-2 and ranked in the top 25. Army was 2-9 and in the second year of Jeff Monken’s reign at West Point. Navy squeaked out a 21-17 victory. The year before, in 2014, Navy won by a touchdown. They had a punt blocked and taken back for a touchdown. Heck, just last year, one gust of wind the other way and Navy makes a field goal to win the game as time expires. I mentioned earlier that last year was the first time I didn’t watch with my father. And while it wasn’t the same, I did have the honor of introducing and proselytizing one of my roommates, Alex Mende, in the ways of the Army – Navy Game. He, of course, had always heard of the game but had never watched. I told him this was going to be one of the more insane and intense games he had ever watched. I don’t think he believed me. I had him text me his thoughts for this post. He texted me, “As you know, I had planned on going to the Library to do some last-minute studying. You effortlessly persuaded me into watching the Army – Navy Game. It was an absolute fight between the two teams. By the end, I found myself passionately cheering for Army and joining you in the Rocket when Army won. That game got me hooked. You better believe that I’ll be watching year after year.”
To all of the SEC Fans that follow our site, do yourself a favor and watch this game. There is pageantry and patriotism, yes, but there is also a little something that SEC Fans will quickly pick up on and recognize – passion. This game will forever hold a special place in my heart and in Brendan’s heart. Truth be told, this game will forever hold a special place in America’s heart, too. Despite your political beliefs or how you look, this is a game that will remind you what it looks like to give your all for classmate, teammate, and country. And it is a damn good football game.
So, for the 24th time in my life, GO ARMY, BEAT NAVY!
Front Porch Football
We have a connection to Army because our father attended West Point and graduated just a few decades years ago. We have watched Army Football with the old man our entire lives. We still watch as many games as we can with him. I went back and watched the Air Force game with him this year, and I am happy to say I will be back to watch the Navy game with him this Saturday. Last year was the first time in my life that I hadn’t watched the game with my father. And it hurt. It didn’t feel the same. There is a very emotional connection our family has to this game. I’m sure that is the case for thousands of families around the country. This is our family’s rivalry game. I’m a proud Wofford College Alumnus. This game means more than any Citadel or Furman game. I am now a South Carolina Law Student and Gamecock Fan. This game means more than the Clemson game. I grew up watching North Carolina – Duke. A loss to Duke hurt for a few hours. Maybe a few days. A loss to Navy stuck with me for months. When I was a kid, I literally got nervous and somewhat sick to my stomach listening to the CBS College Football Theme because it reminded me of the Army – Navy Game. And for a long time, the Army – Navy Game reminded me of losing to the Naval Academy.
