The Army-Navy Game Is The Greatest Rivalry Match In College Football
Let me preface this by saying I did not attend West Point, nor did I go to Annapolis. While I choose to root for Army, I do not consider myself a fan of West Point athletics at all. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever watched a single West Point game where the opponent wasn’t Navy. That being said, the Army-Navy game is the greatest rivalry match in all of college football.
I know some of you scoffed at that last sentence. That’s understandable. We aren’t talking about Alabama-Auburn here, and I agree with that. While the players at Alabama and Auburn may be more skilled, there’s more to a good rivalry than the players’ performance on the field.
The tradition of the Army-Navy rivalry is arguably the single factor that makes this rivalry the greatest. While the Army and Navy themselves have essentially had a rivalry since 1775, these two service academies have duked it out on the gridiron since 1890 (and consecutively since 1930). Even during periods of conflict, including the Second World War, they have played the game.
The enthusiasm that comes with this rivalry is unprecedented. Soldiers and sailors throughout the world–even those who didn’t attend either academy–are involved. Students and alumni alike make hilarious videos promoting their team leading up to the game. Take a look:
On social media, fans show their spirit as well. You might see some officers replace their name tapes on their uniforms with custom ones that say BEAT NAVY. You might see cadets posting statuses like, “It’s December 10, 2014, and Navy still sucks.” That, of course, is all in good fun.
Most importantly, the Army-Navy game is the greatest rivalry because it is a friendly rivalry. Sure, things get kind of heated, but in the end, the game is the embodiment of the phrase “One Team One Fight.” Though it is a bitter rivalry, when it comes down to it, fans of both teams continue to work with and support each other in operations all around the world. That’s something you won’t find anywhere else in college football.
Even if you disagree with me, you have to agree that in the end, the Army-Navy game is an American tradition that truly demonstrates the spirit of our Armed Forces. Make sure to catch the game this Saturday, and, of course, Go Army! Beat Navy!.
Image via Faecbook
A Navy fan walks into a bar with his dog. He asks the bartender if it’s alright if the dog comes in with him to watch the Army-Navy game. Before the bartender can say no, the Navy fan tells him that the dog can do amazing tricks! “Whenever Navy scores the dog will walk across the bar on his hind legs! Whenever Army scores, the dog will walk across the bar on his front legs, and when Navy wins, he’ll do backflips!” “That’s amazing,” said the bartender. “What does he do when Army wins?” “I don’t know,” the man replies. “He’s only 12 years old.”
11 years ago at 2:50 pm“Rivalry Match”?
Either you have an extremely poor command of the English language, or you’re a soccer fan or some shit.
Here in America, we have football games, not football “matches.” And a rivalry is referred to as a “rivalry” or “rivalry game.” Jesus.
11 years ago at 3:42 pmMy grandfather attended Annapolis so I always pull for navy. Even though I agree about the quality of play between the two schools, I always find myself to watch the whole game because of the history and fight between both teams. BEAT ARMY
11 years ago at 3:48 pmGo Navy, Beat Army!!!!
11 years ago at 4:29 pmWinner of the game doesn’t even matter to me, just the traditions and meaning of it is enough.
11 years ago at 10:57 pmGO NAVY! BEAT ARMY
11 years ago at 11:42 amLast time I checked, Navy has won for the past 12 years. To bad Army sucks and can’t win. GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY!
11 years ago at 3:06 pmMichigan vs. Ohio State is the best College Rivalry, hands down
11 years ago at 8:16 am