Army-Navy in the 1926 game at Soldier Field. Image: Public Domain.
Today marks the 125th Army-Navy game, dubbed “America’s Game,” and the greatest rivalry in sports.
This year, both the Black Knights of the U.S. Military Academy (11-1) and the Midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy (8-3) are entering the game with winning records and post-season Bowl games to prepare for.
The iconic rivalry includes countless traditions and moments of pageantry, including the march on as each academy fills the field.
The “prisoner exchange,” where students who have been temporarily studying at their rival institution are welcomed back to their home academy.
WHAT IS THE ARMY-NAVY GAME PRISONER EXCHANGE? #ARMY #Navy #ArmyNavy #ArmyNavyGame2023 #armyblackknights #navymidshipmen #CollegeFootball pic.twitter.com/1jkkUbyAic
— Dubs Only Sports (@DubsOnlySports) December 7, 2023
And, always, the fervent hope that your team will “sing second.”
Almost every year since 2008, each team has also debuted a special uniform to mark the tradition.
This year, West Point’s uniforms feature the 101st Airborne Division / Screaming Eagles to honor their service during the Battle Of The Bulge in Bastogne and their Rendevous with Destiny.
The Midshipmen uniforms will honor the Jolly Rogers.
A press release from The Naval Academy shares:
The Jolly Rogers were established in 1943 and are the most lethal and history-rich squadron in all of Naval Aviation and continue to exemplify the traditions and excellence of professionalism of the United States Navy. Their tagline is Fear the Bones and their callsign is Victory.
Flying over nine different types of fighter aircraft in the past 63 years, the Skull and Crossbones have become the most recognized and feared insignia in the world. The Skull and Crossbones first flew in January 1943 on the F4U Corsairs assigned to VF-17, the most lethal Navy fighter squadron of World War II. By the end of the war, the original Jolly Rogers had racked up over 150 kills in the skies over the Pacific.
The squadron continues to serve today.
This author has attended 15 Army-Navy games over the years, and though I have attended many sporting events in my life, nothing comes close to the atmosphere. The air is pervasive with love of country, duty and devotion, and, of course, a love of football.
Like bickering siblings, fans at tailgates tease each other, and the Brigade of Midshipmen and the Corps of Cadets take turns taunting each other with chants and signs from their spots in the stands.
But everyone in the stands and on the field is acutely aware of the sacrifices these young men have, and will, make on behalf of a grateful nation.
Today, we pick a side and cheer. Every day we pray for all who serve our nation.
Theodore Roosevelt was the first sitting President to attend the game in 1905, and the tradition has continued over the decades.
President Trump will be in attendance as he was in 2016 as President-Elect and three times while he was President, each time receiving a boisterous and enthusiastic welcome from the crowd.
You can watch the game, beginning with the pre-game grandeur, at 3:00 pm Eastern on CBS.
I would be remiss if I did not end this the way I do all correspondence during Army-Navy week: #GoNavy #BeatArmy
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