I’m turning into my father. I just finished my annual tradition of watching the Army-Navy game. Two things annoyed me:
1- The game wasn’t played in Philadelphia (they experiment with New Jersey, Pasadena, and now Baltimore). The game is hosted by a neutral city; Philly is 130 miles from both Academies and is the default home to this rivalry.
2- They sold a sponsorship to the game. I get the big picture. Sponsorships are win-win for both schools. I just think that this game should transcend commercial interests.
At least I can enjoy the DaltonsAZHomes Territorial Cup this afternoon. Fork ’em Devils.
Jay McGillicuddy says:
It’s funny as we grow older we seem to do things like our parents did. Weird if you ask me.
December 1, 2007 — 1:50 pm
Mark A. says:
Me and a couple of friends have been following this rivalry for the past 16 years (and we’re only in our early 40’s for the record.) A couple of years ago, we even flew out to Philly to watch this game live and in color, at 32 degrees. The atmosphere is indescribable: Cameraderie, friendship, and a good mood between the academies themselves and their fans. The Philly cheese steaks were awesome. Now if only Army could find a way to consistently beat Navy year after year, everything would be perfect. 🙂
December 1, 2007 — 3:25 pm
Jay Thompson says:
3- Army lost for the sixth time in a row
December 1, 2007 — 3:28 pm
Brian Brady says:
“3- Army lost for the sixth time in a row”
Papa Joe would agree, Jay
December 1, 2007 — 4:13 pm
Linda Davis says:
My husband, the Naval Academy Grad, was quite pleased with the results. I had my little stuffed goat out for the game. I like the tradition of Philadelphia.
December 1, 2007 — 4:29 pm
Brian Brady says:
“I like the tradition of Philadelphia”
Of course you do, Linda. Why am I not surprised? Did you make him do push-ups after each TD?
December 1, 2007 — 8:37 pm
Bob in San Diego says:
Go Navy!
For the 6 years I was in the Navy my Dad would call and heckle me every time Army would win… He was retired Army.
I haven’t watched the whole game since he died in 1996.
December 1, 2007 — 10:10 pm
Linda Davis says:
No, he graduated from the Academy in 1970 and is now too old (or so he says) for push ups but he did return a few salutes during the game. On another note, we met at the Pitt (my school) Navy football game. How about those Pitt Panthers?
December 2, 2007 — 7:37 am
Brian Brady says:
I had a Tony Dorsett trashcan given me for Christmas, Linda. I loved Pitt until they started dominated ‘Nova in the Big East.
Great upset against WVU, yesterday.
December 2, 2007 — 3:56 pm
Brian Brady says:
“I haven’t watched the whole game since he died in 1996”
I’m sorry, Bob. Call me next year if you want to watch it; that game has significance for me, also.
December 2, 2007 — 3:59 pm
Derek says:
A lot of East Carolina fans are Army fans. Army used to be in our conference and they have some of the best fans ever. We used to love Army fans coming to our message boards and when they played Navy in the past, we would all sign our ECU postings with 23/Beat Navy.
23 was our baseball coach’s number (ECU’s Keith LeClair) and Beat Navy was our show of support for our conference brothers. Todd Berry at the time was Army’s coach I believe when it all started.
How about them Rabble Rousers?
December 2, 2007 — 7:50 pm
Ravi Shah says:
I made the trip a couple of years ago from Jersey to Baltimore to watch the game. I will say this though…there were some great bars between our car and the stadium!! Other then in the parking lot at the Vet, you couldn’t do that in Philly!
December 6, 2007 — 12:20 pm