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The 116th edition of the Army–Navy game will be played this Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. The 9-2 Midshipmen are currently 23-point favorites over the 2-9 Black Knights, but as with any rivalry game, records don’t matter. As excited as everyone should be for Saturday’s showcase, let’s take a look back at the history of this series and find out 15 things you probably didn’t know about the Army-Navy game.
Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.
15. One of Three Neutral Site Games
Getty ImagesWith the game being played in Philadelphia, it joins the Florida-Georgia rivalry played in Jacksonville and the Texas-Oklahoma rivalry played in Dallas.
14. Alma Maters
Getty ImagesOnce the clock strikes zero, the two teams will stand side-by-side and sing both schools' alma maters. First, to the losing team's student section then to the victors.
13. 1944-45 Was the Pinnacle of the Series
Getty ImagesWhile the game still has tremendous importance every year, it will never match up to 1944 and 1945 ever again. In those two years, Army and Navy were ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. Army won the National Championship during both seasons.
12. Instant Replay Made Its Debut in 1963
Getty ImagesYou can thank the Army-Navy game for instant replay on television. The first time instant replay was used was during the 1963 edition of the rivalry.
11. First Helmet Worn in 1893 Game
Getty ImagesJoseph Mason Reeves was told by a Navy doctor that he could die with another hit to the head. As a result, Reeves had a shoemaker make him a helmet out of leather to protect his head. It's believed to be the first time a football player wore a helmet during a game.
10. Series Started in 1890
Getty ImagesThe rivalry between the two academies began in 1890 with a 24-0 victory by the Midshipmen. Overall, Navy leads the series 59-49, with seven games ending in a tie.
9. Spirit Videos
Getty ImagesEvery year the two academies produce spirit videos as a form of trash talk heading into the game. I'd like to see one of these to see how much trash talk goes on. I'd imagine it's pretty epic.
8. "Night of Liberty"
Getty ImagesThis game isn't just huge for the bragging rights, as the winning academy is granted what's called a "night of liberty" which means a night free of responsibilities.
7. Franklin D. Roosevelt Forced Attendees to Buy War Bonds
Getty ImagesAt the 1944 game, President Roosevelt made every person in attendance buy war bonds as the United States was in the middle of World War II.
6. Navy Has Owned Army Recently
Getty ImagesTypically a rivalry can't be considered a rivalry unless both sides win on a regular basis. Navy has won 13 straight games in the series, but with two branches of our military competing, it's still a rivalry.
5. Mascots
Getty ImagesAs part of the yearly traditions surrounding the game, the academies will steal each other's mascots. I'd like to know how this goes down. It sounds like it would be pretty easy to find somewhere to hide the mascot for the week, but I guess that wouldn't be tradition.
4. Thompson Cup
Getty ImagesThe winning team receives the Thompson Cup which is named after Robert M. Thompson who was a navy officer that donated the cup.
3. 1893 Game Got So Heated There Was Almost a Duel
Getty ImagesA heated argument between a rear general and a brigadier general came dangerously close to a duel and ended up with the two teams taking a five-year break from the rivalry. This duel was the reason the game was moved to a neutral location in Philadelphia.
2. Dwight Eisenhower Played in the 1926 Edition
Getty ImagesEisenhower is the only president to have ever played in the rivalry game. He played for Army in 1926 before becoming a five-star general during World War II.
1. President Attends Every Game
Getty ImagesThe President of the United States has attended every Army-Navy game since 1901. Yes, that means Barack Obama will be in Philadelphia on Saturday.
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