The Midshipmen and Black Knights have not been in the Top 10 College Football Poll in several years. Additionally, the NCAA FBS Championship will not be decided by the Army-Navy game. The Commander In Chief Trophy, for which the three service academies (along with the Air Force) compete, sometimes is decided outside of the Army-Navy Game.
The Army and Navy game is played at a neutral venue during every football season, in between the end of regular season play and the approaching bombardment of bowl games. On the first Saturday in December, they take the spotlight as the only football game on tv when the two teams face off. It is typically one of the most watched television events for that week, attracting seven to eight million watchers.
But why does America tune in in massive numbers to watch the Black Knights and Midshipmen fight up year after year if the game decides nothing more than bragging rights?
Two points: One: tradition, and what the two systems bring to the field for the game of football. The fact that both football teams are representing their respective service academies, which represent our services, comes in a close second, is more significant.
Army-Navy represents the epitome of college sports. There are still many fans who enjoy that style of football. And let’s admit it, knowing that younger folks are enlisting in something bigger than football, you know, they’re going to serve a minimum of five years after graduation to defend our country. P people have a sensitive place for those guys and girls and want to support the young athletes.
people have a sensitive place for those guys and girls and want to support the young athletes.
These are the youth who will guide our country’s future and that of the following generation. That’s what you truly see when they compete and show guts, resilience, determination, and the ability to overcome obstacles.
So, #gonavybeatarmy!
