Posted on 12/06/2010 9:53:27 AM PST by chargers fan
Thanks for posting this thread. I have no sentimental favorite here, but I’ve always said that an Army-Navy football game is one of those sporting events that is a must-see for every American sports fan at least once in their lives!
I used to love this game. But until the service academies actually require skilled athletes to fulfill their service obligations (especially during wartime), I’m not going to show much interest. My son is on his third combat deployment, and these guys get a college degree and then skate away from the responsibility cause they can get a pro contract. No thanks.
Nobody gets right into the pros from the academies (at least in football). A few years ago quite a bit of news was generated from the fact that a West Point football player got drafted. Initially we was going to be released from his active duty contract but was called back to service. The rules state that you must serve two years of active duty time before a team and buy out your contract.
I’m rooting for Army. They are going to a bowl game for the first time since 1996 and it’s about time they win this game. By the way, we’ve got Army, Navy and the Air Force but does the Coast Guard have a football team? Just a thought there.
Not sure. If they do they’re not Div 1. Yeah, I’m glad Army’s finally heading to a bowl again (Armed Forces Bowl December 30th). Actually all three academies are going to a bowl. Ellerson’s doing good things at Army.
You are incorrect, they must complete obligation. Please provide example or player “skating away from obligation” because they got a pro contract.
There hasn’t been an academy graduate in the pros since Stauback. A few have been drafted but non made the grade. As has been pointed out, if a graduate of West Point(not Navy or AF) makes a pro team , he serves 2 years (probably as a recruiter) then he can play full time. West Point feels it’s a positive for recruitment to the academy. Go back to enjoying the game played by great Americans
Sorry, no.
Go Navy, BEAT army!
Napoleon McCallum.
Stand corrected
Chad Henning graduated from the Air Force Academy and played for the Cowboys.
I’ve always wanted to see an Army-Navy Game in person, but with Obama in attendance, the gate security is probably equivalent to going through six or seven TSA screenings.
GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY!
Wife of USNA ‘73.
Caleb Campbell graduated from West Point in 2008 and made his NFL debut with the Detroit Lions a few weeks ago.
I’ve love to attend this game just once in my lifetime.
Last year, me and a few coworkers had to fly out of Philadelphia on the Sunday after the game. It was incredible. Every branch of the service, every academy was represented in uniform. The whoops and cheers and patriotic pride and spirit were so evident in the airport that day. I had tears in my eyes. Our flight was delayed in boarding as we waited at our gate, the runways were clogged with all manner of military aircraft and an Osprey made a flyover from the nearby Boeing plant.
Back to the gate delay. There eventually came an announcement by the gal at the gate, good and loud. “We’ve been waiting for you guys!!!!” I looked up and there was a Marine Sergeant, blind, with his guide dog, and two other companions, one with a titanium leg. The cheering and applause by the passnegers and passers by was heard onto the next concourse!, of that I’m certain ;-).
Nobody was complaining about the 1-2 hour takeoff delays that day, everyone was all smiles. I wish every day could be like that one.
I’d like to see any terrorist try to pull something that day in that airport. It was a great day to be there...a great day to fly and a great day to be an American.
If I’m not mistaken, the Coast Guard and the Marines go through Annapolis, so they are “Navy”.
“There hasn’t been an academy graduate in the pros since Stauback.”
David Robinson, Nap McCallum(SP?), Phil McConkey.
Robinson was the one that was let out of his committment.
I’ll be there. Go Army!
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