The rivalry between the Army and Navy is one of the strongest in sports. Either side could have a losing season, and still count the season as a success if they win the Army/Navy game.
Shortly before 9:30, the March On began, with both sides marching in procession onto the field. There are 8,000 Midshipmen and Cadets marching. The Army went first and the Navy's procession hit the field around 10 a.m.
Because of increased security, spectators are no longer allowed to line the streets and watch the March On.
Some Army supporters shared their support for the Cadets from Iraq. They will be able to watch the game from their base in Baghdad. "We actually work as part of a joint task force with the Navy, so there's a bit of camaraderie going on," an officer said. "Unfortunately, no alcohol, but there's a big-screen TV and some food."
"Everybody's getting along really well...except with the Navy guys," laughed Leroy Hill."We're fired up and ready to beat Navy!" said Brigadier General Rebecca Halstad, the first woman to graduate from West Point in 1981. "Everybody here today is a winner. It doesn't matter. Our nation's a winner because of these young men and women. I've watched this game in Afghanistan and in Iraq. You know where you are, but you feel close to home."
"The bond [between Army and Navy] is unique because they're going to go after each other as hard as any other two teams will, but after, you'll see them standing shoulder to shoulder. To me, there's nothing like it, " said noted author John Feinstein.
"This game generates a lot of spirit," said United States Naval Academy Superintendent Jeffrey Fowler. It is Fowler's first game as superintendent.
"To actually be here, live in Baltimore...I'm really excited about it," Fowler said. "These are people volunteering to serve their country in a time of war. As much as this is a sporting event, it's also a reflection of how wonderful these people are. We're not local institutions; we're national institutions.
"Fowler added that on the game field, they are enemies but once they are on the battlefield, they are friends and brothers.People from across the nation have arrived to see the Army/Navy game.
"It's the only game I actually do on television, so this is a chance I couldn't pass up," said Boomer Esiason. "It's really about the kids, because these kids have gone to these military academies knowing what faces them later on.
"Esiason noted that Navy seniors have never lost a game to the Army and that the current crop of Army plays have not beaten Navy, so there is a great deal at stake in Saturday's game.
Kai Jackson reports there seems to be a pretty even mix of Army and Navy supporters.Saturday's game is the 108th time the two teams have faced off on the football field. Navy has won 51 games, lost 49 and tied seven times.The first game was in 1890 at West Point. Navy won that game, 24-0.
Since 1899, Philadelphia has been the usual host for the game, because it is the halfway point between the two teams.Baltimore has hosted this game on three other occasions, most recently in 2000.
Mark Viviano reports there is nothing more important to these teams than winning the Army/Navy game. If Navy wins today, it will be the sixth consecutive win for them over the Army, a record. Navy already has broken a record this year, defeating Notre Dame for the first time in decades.
The Naval Academy also named a woman as commandant for the first time this year. Captain Peg Klein is also one of the youngest commandants ever.
Source: Baltimore WJZ
http://wjz.com/local/army.navy.football.2.600026.html
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