LANDOVER, Md. (DC News Now) — In one way, the Army-Navy rivalry is just like any other rivalry — bitter rivals, clash on the field. That’s where the list of similarities basically ends.
“It means everything,” Navy student Bobby Kittelberger from Wantagh, New York, said. “The rivalry we have against Army, you don’t have that in any other sports, any other teams, there’s nothing like it.”
The rivals come together for a game that’s bigger than football, a game that supports the United States military.
“The best part of West Point,” Army student from Houston, Texas, Emma Olivia Esquiveo said. “Just the competition between Army and Navy.”
The 125th edition of the Army-Navy rivalry brought the game to Maryland and the Washington, D.C. area for the first time since it was held in Baltimore in 2016. It’s the first time the game has been played in Landover since 2011.
To witness the game’s pregame ceremonies and the overall game atmosphere in person is a must see spectacle.
“Football in general as a culture of America is just super special. It’s very unique to the U.S. and just the love for the military,” Esquiveo said. “I think and showing the love for the game and the military and a good competition between the two.”
The game will return to Maryland next year, as it will be held at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. You can bet the students participating will look forward to that one.
“Unity and family is just one of the biggest parts of being in any academy,” Kittleberger said. “I think being good fans for these guys who are brothers on the field and off the field, makes a big difference for them and how they play and makes a big difference for us how we cheer.”
