I love tradition and good, healthy rivalry, and the Army-Navy football tradition fits that bill perfectly. The teams of the U.S. Military Academy at Westpoint, and the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, meet annually on the field seeking game victory. Yesterday, the Westpoint cadets won their first game after 14 losses in a nail-biter score of 21-17. In full disclosure, we are a Navy family, so I am partial, but this was a great game and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The two teams first met on the field on November 25, 1890, and became an annual series since 1899, except for 1909, 1917, 1918 and 1929. It has been held at several locations throughout its history, at locations equidistant from the two academies. This historic game is now played on the second Saturday in December and is traditionally the last game of the season for both teams and the last regular-season game played in Division I football.
I loved this game, but what I loved more is the spirit I saw on and off the field. These young men and women are among our nation’s finest. At the start of the game a huge chorus of cadets and midshipmen joined together to sing our national anthem with gusto. They love this country and it brought tears to my eyes, as I realized after graduation, graduates from both academies will serve our country with honor and distinction in the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, possibly in harm’s way. Everyone in that stadium cheered their teams on and I never once saw anyone take a knee.
As the game ended, I asked myself why our differences as a country couldn’t be solved on a game field and a coin toss, then shake hands after the game in mutual respect, meeting on common ground for the betterment of all. I would even volunteer as an usher!
Next year … GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY! Sorry, I couldn’t help myself!
Proverbs 18:18 “A coin toss ends arguments and settles disputes between powerful opponents.” (The Living Bible)
Tagged: American history, scripture
