I was USN from 77 to 84. Nephew went to Annapolis. My Father in-law was a Seebee inWWII. My dad was a Marine. So I am biased. But I know a kid who graduated West Point and I talk trash to him all week and then I call and congratulate him on days like this.
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You are real Navy, for sure. My dad rooted for Army, but it was just a game for him. I love the game because of how much it means to the two academies and because of the game’s history.
I feel so bad for Navy’s #34, but his long TD run is why they were in OT and did not lose in regulation.
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I am like you. I root for Army because my dad, and most of my family who served did so in the Army, and that was who we rooted for during this game, but it was not an obsession or anything. My dad and uncle were 101st Airborne, the latter serving in the famous 506th PIR during WWII and landing at Normandy. A good friend of mine from high school, our class valedictorian, went to the Naval Academy.
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My Dad was Army - WW2 & Korea. I learned to root for Army watching with him. I also served 6+ years in the 70’s but that did not turn me into a gung ho Army fan. I still pull for them, but mostly just enjoy one of the few remaining truly amateur spectacles.
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I read an interesting article a while back about how service academy students are not allowed to profit from their NIL because they are paid a salary by the government, in addition to their tuition, room, board, medical, etc. In short, they are government employees of that institution and not actually “amateurs” in that sense.
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And I root for Navy because of my dad who volunteered for the USMC after Pearl was attacked. His father, who I never knew because he died so young, was also a Marine. I have also had the privilege of walking the grounds of The Naval Academy when we were in Annapolis as part of a vacation. It was a great experience. I would love to have the opportunity to do the same at West Point some day.
Thinking about it, I’ve more relatives that served in the Navy (and Marines), than I have had in the Army and Air Force combined. But I have always rooted for Army because of my paternal grandfather. He served, if I recall correctly, from 1917 to 1920.
Maternal great, great grandfather was in the army 1861-1865, though it was the below the Mason-Dixon line army and he never made it to West Point or Annapolis. He did spend three days at Gettysburg once in July seeing the sights and later received a firm handshake at Appomattox for good attendance. He probably pulled for Navy.
They may be getting paid, and it is certainly true that athletic ability is part of the selection process, but these guys are “student athletes” in a way that applies to no other D1 school.
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Interesting, HH.
MikeS’ and my barber/family friend growing up in Tucson was also in the 506 PIR, Easy Company, and jumped on Normandy; he was later wounded after Bastogne from shrapnel.
He had endless stories to tell, lived a long, full life and was an interesting and fun person to know.
I’m always grateful to have known him.
My uncle was wounded in Holland during Operation Market Garden, but he would not talk about his war experience. He would say “I did what I had to do” and that was it. My dad was the only one he’d really say much to. I wish I’d have learned more from him.
I think that was the norm for so many of that generation, God love ‘em.
They truly knew what loss and sacrifice was- our generation does not.
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For me, it’s always Go Army, Beat Navy!! Dad was in the Army in the early 60’s (would’ve gone to Vietnam if accepted the offer to go to OCS), close family friend growing up was Commandant of Cadets at the Air Force Academy but was a West Point grad (last class of aviators), several former teammates are West Point grads, and I very nearly went into the Army after 9/11. As importantly, I played rugby against the Naval Academy too often and couldn’t stand those guys. Some of them were nice enough, but their coach was a cunt and so many of his players were beyond arrogant and felt entitled. I can divorce that sentiment, though, from an absolute respect and appreciation for what they do after graduation.
And for anyone interested, Army’s uniforms were in honor of the 80th anniversary of Operation Torch (invasion of North Africa). Navy’s commemorated the 40 some odd astronauts who are graduates of the Academy.
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Mike Leach has been hospitalized, and apparently it was bad enough to be airlifted from his house. Not a ton of official info out there but things aren’t looking great.
Prayers for his recovery. For better and for worse, the sport is more interesting with him in it.
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Serious enough that they wanted him at UMMC instead of a Starkville hospital.
I hope the Pirate recovers, but the reports are dire.
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Critical condition, heart attack I just read.
Met Coach Leach one time in Oakland in ‘19- he was on one of our SWA flights from Burbank to Oakland I was commuting on. I asked him for autographs for my tech buddies and he happily obliged. He and I also chatted a bit about college football, he asked me about being a UA/Arizona alumnus, and couldn’t have been nicer.
I wish him well and a speedy recovery.
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MSU just announced that Mike Leach passed away