WASHINGTON — Whether you’re attending in person, watching online, or hosting a watch party, here is everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s 126th Army vs. Navy football game.
1. How can I watch the game?
The game is being broadcast on CBS, so tune in live on the biggest screen you can find! If you have a Paramount+ Premium subscription, login and cheer like you’re in the stands! Too busy to watch? Listen to the game and keep up with live play-by-play statistics.
2. How are the uniforms different this year?
In celebration and commemoration of the U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday, U.S. Military Academy at West Point uniforms tie into our history. Helmets feature the U.S. Army emblem on the side and “1775” on the back, the year the Continental Congress established the Continental Army. The font on the uniforms harkens to the U.S. Constitution, the founding document of the United States, and the Great Seal sits on the right shoulder. For more information, visit the Army.mil game page.
3. What is the “Cadet exchange”?
Every year, a select number of West Point Cadets are selected to attend classes for one semester at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. An equal number of Midshipmen conversely attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Before the game begins, these students march to mid-field, where their academy leadership exchange them, marking a return home. This way, students don’t have to sit in “enemy territory” during the rivalry game, while also show respect and solidarity to their peers.
4. Why don’t they play at their home fields and rotate like typical college games?
To minimize cost and ensure the most fans are able to enjoy the game, the Army-Navy game is played at various venues across the northeast United States. In fact, the game has only been played at either West Point or Annapolis seven times since 1890. Philadelphia, Pa., has hosted more games than any city, 88 times out of 125. This year’s game takes place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., while next year the Black Knights will face the Midshipmen at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
5. What are the team mascots and why?
The U.S. Naval Academy mascot is a goat with a superstitious origin story. Naval ships used to sail with livestock as a food source in the 1800s, but one goat was spared to be the crew pet. When that goat died, the hide was preserved out of respect. An Ensign took that hide to a Navy football game prior to the rivalry, wrapping himself in it to rally the crowd in support of a losing Navy team. The Midshipmen went on to win the game, and the goat immediately became a symbol of victory and good luck. Named Bill, there are actually two goats — Bill 36 and Bill 37 — who live alongside the previous two retired mascots. The Black Knights chose their mascot, a mule, in recognition of long-standing tradition in the U.S. Army. The mule is a symbol of great strength, routinely used to transport equipment, personnel and food between battlefields. Today, two mules, named Paladin and Ranger IV, are handled by senior cadet Mule Riders on the academy campus.
6. What does “Sing Second” mean?
The goal of the Army-Navy game is simple: Sing Second. At the conclusion of the game, the losing team will stand near their band and sing their Alma Mater, with the winning team standing behind them out of respect. When the song concludes, the winning team runs to their band to sing their Alma Mater. Thus, the team that sings second is the winning team.
7. Who is leading the rivalry?
The greatest rivalry in American sports began in 1890, when an established Navy football team beat the newly-formed Army team 24-0. Going into this weekend, Navy leads with 63 wins versus the Army’s 55 victories, plus seven tie games.
8. Did you know?
Instant replay made its American football debut at the 1963 Army-Navy game (Navy won, 21-15).
9. Why does the Army pep band conductor have “12” painted on his/her face?
The idea of a “12th man” was borne by Texas A&M in 1922 when that team’s coach suited up someone in the press box in case they needed an additional player. That player became superfluous, but history had been made. Today, the fan section typically takes on the role of the “12th man,” ever ready to support their team. The U.S. Military Academy’s pep band conductor routinely will paint the number 12 on his/her face in camouflage to lead the rally against the enemy.
10. What is different this year?
This year, the Army-Navy Game has the distinction of being recognized as the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame’s Distinguished American Award. The award “recognizes an outstanding person or entity who has maintained a lifetime of interest in the game and, over an extended period of time, has exhibited enviable leadership qualities, making a significant contribution to the betterment of non-professional football in the United States.” Previous winners include Bob Hope, who entertained troops for 50 years through the USO; Vince Lombardi, assistant football coach at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from 1949-1953; and Gen. (Ret.) Ray Odierno, former Army Chief of Staff.
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