The 111th Army-Navy Football Game

I love this football game; it encompasses all I love about college football. It's a big ol' dose of God Bless America and a good old fashioned football grudge match where all the bragging rights are up for grabs. For many players on both teams this is it, there is no pro contract waiting after graduation, no agent greeting you after a game or scouts watching you play. There are a few Admirals and Generals, Secretary of the Navy and Army and occasionally the President, but in essence they all work for the same company you are soon to join. When these football players walk off the field, they put their uniforms back on, maybe have the night off in Philadelphia and then it's back to school, finals are the following week. This year it was a bit different, both schools are headed to Bowl games. Navy plays San Diego State on December 23 in the Poinsettia Bowl and Army will play SMU in Dallas at the Armed Forces Bowl. (Seems to me that the two bowl games Army and Navy are playing in are more home games for the opposing teams). But first, let's talk about getting to the game. We drive up Friday afternoon before the game and stay with our friends, the Arcaro's. Here is a great shot of Buddy Arcaro(Den dad of 29th Company), Ralph, Tom Williamson (just back from a three year tour as Naval Attache in Poland) and Brad. Brad and Ralph were Naval Academy roommates, and quite frankly watching the two of them hang out together is hilarious. Luckily for me, Ralph married Amy and I love her. You might remember Ralph and Amy from an earlier blog about our trip to Citizen Bank Park and the Phillies baseball game. As luck would have it, this trip also involved a trip to 'the Bank' since the VIP Tailgating party was on the Club Level. After enjoying some delicious food and drink we headed over to 'the Linc' as in Lincoln Financial Field, which is across the street. Since we had regular security (i.e. no presidents) we got in and were able to see the Leapfrogs and the Black Knights do their jumps as well as the players run on the field and fly overs. I will say the Navy has a much better fly over with jets than the Army with their Apache Attack Helicopters. The game itself was great this year; Navy had a little turnover in the opening drive, but then Army turned it back over and next thing you knew Navy was on the board with a field goal. Navy's quarterback, Ricky Dobbs did not have his best outing but in the end it was another Navy Victory. The funny thing about the Army Navy Game is not always what happens on the field as much as during the game, in the stands and after the game. We all have our stories so here are a few of mine from this year. The first is this, we sit down and I chat with the guy next to me, turns out he is there with his good friend, who happened to have gone to the Naval Academy. "No kidding" I say my husband went there too. The next question of course is 'what year?' Turns out the magic year is '85. I am constantly surprised at who we meet and run into during that weekend, every year. During half time we went out and met my cousin, Gary Oakland. He's in his second year at West Point. Piper was thrilled to see him, since he had missed the cookie bake in Bellevue over Thanksgiving. Then the game ends, and I talk a Mid into giving me his beanie hat with a yellow N* on it. (USAA swag bag gift in each Mid and Cadet's seat), although I did have to talk him out of a trade for my fur hat! Finally, the best part of every game but especially the Army-Navy Game, the singing of the Navy Blue and Gold! It brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it sung.