Friday, December 02, 2005

An Important Rivalry

In my family the Army-Navy game has always been an important event because of my family's involvement in serving the country in the Naval Services. Growing up in a Navy family and on a Naval base I have a really hard time rooting Army, under any circumstances. Rooting for Army would rank right up there with rooting for the Russians. When the game is over Army is okay but while it is being played I just can't say anything nice about them.

All kidding aside, tomarrow's game is what college athletics once were. The Army/Navy game is an example of what college football was once in terms of the pangentry, the importance, the athletes, and the amateurism; all things that are slowly disappearing from the other 100 plus Division 1 A football programs. Tomarrow's game is about something more than TV ratings, merchandise sales, bowl games, or butts in the seats, it is about pride. While there hasn't been a truly relevant Army/Navy since Staubach, in terms of a National Champion, the one constant has always been pride. These men aren't playing for the scouts and many of them will never play football game again. They are playing for each other and for you, the citizens of the US. So tomarrow you will hear one chant at my house "Go Navy beat Army!"

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