Army-Navy Game and Leadership

Look at last year's post for feelings and what what this game means. This year I am going to talk about things that stood out about this game. First, of course, was the absent Commander-in-Chief but this can only be expected after winning the Nobel peace for prize for 1. being a jerk off liberal and 2. not being George Bush. He had something to do that pertained to himself and had nothing to do with this country. These types of things are only to be expected with this guy which exemplifies what a sad state this country's leadership is in. It would have looked bad for him to be at Army-Navy to his liberal peacenik asshole hippie friends. Now this leadership void is usually filled with those that participate in this game. Our future leaders is how I heard them referred to on the CBS telecast. I disagree, they are present leaders they volunteered in time of war to serve, that is leadership. I saw a ton of that quality in this game; I mean how about the freshman QB from Army, a plebe running the offense that kid is a leader and is going to be a great one just from the experience. Class and age mean everything at these institutions. Also the Army linebacker who moved from outside to inside, when the starter was injured in a previous game, he was way undersized but had fifteen tackles and called the defense and the presnap adjustments. I watched kids from both academies run to the football and hit with good form and fight through pain. I saw running backs that ran hard without regard for themselves refusing to go down without a fight.

I also saw some late hits and extra curricular shots in one form or another but that is to be expected in any rivalry game. I saw way too much "hey look at me celebration" shit, this was not an LSU or "U" game. But the biggest disappointment had to be in the Navy quarterback. I believe this kid is way too self centered to be a great leader. Why are you picking on this kid that volunteered to serve his country? Whoa, chill, I am not the one who put this kid on TV and let him tell his story to the world. He signed a team signed football helmet 5 times that was then presented to Obama, why five times so Obama would remember his name. Maybe you should have impressed him with the content of your character instead of the number of times you could write your name use something with some substance. Son Obama only cares about Obama. He wants to be a politician. Son politician is NOT a career it is a service you serve and move on but liberals do not think this way and look for the easy way out. The reason he went to the Naval Academy is he wanted to go to the dentist, he wanted free health care. Son are you serious, nothing about your character is positive. 1. Hero worship of someone who has done nothing and who hates the military and the country. 2. Want a cushy political job. 3. Part of the I,I,I Me,Me,Me culture that wants everything for nothing. It breaks my heart to write this piece but it needed to be done. I am all for those who serve to get free health care for life, as I have stated here many times, but going in with the attitude that it is owed regardless of service or not is a bad, selfish idea. It is the farthest thing from leadership there is just look at the president.

When Its More Than A Game

I may over emphasize the importance of football upon the American landscape at times, I know. To me there is nothing better than watching college football on Saturday afternoon and nights. Lets face it at least in college the kids are still playing the game for pride and fun and not for a paycheck. Anything can happen in a college game because the people playing are just kids and not men they will do stupid things and make stupid mistakes and enthusiasm can carry momentum a lot longer into a game. In short, for the most part, the game is still a game and is still fun. But not this game, this game is different, this game marks the end of football careers which is always a sad day, but it also marks the end of childhood when the gun sounds these seniors become men plain and simple. I am speaking of course about the Army/Navy Game. When the gun sounds at the end of the game these kids leave a lot behind and finish up their studies and begin standing watch over the safety of the nation. We are literally privileged to watch these kids end their childhoods, and in these times, get ready for war.

So Army and Navy both have new uniforms for today's game Army in fatigue pants and helmets and navy in throwback jerseys and I like both. There is one problem though, The Navy jerseys are blank where this name should be and the Army says "DUTY.HONOR. COUNTRY." I get why in the team concept and no one is bigger than the team and that the name on the front is way more important than the one on the back. But I think America needs to know and see their names. Too many of our armed forces fight in anonymity, I say let America at least know who these guys are and not because they can play football but because the are going to be defending our liberty to watch the SEC title game later and the Giants tomorrow and on Monday when we will argue who really should be in the BCS title game. These kids will give this gift to us at least let us know who they are. What other game shows shots of soldiers and marines all over the world watching a game in the dead of night cheering "GO Navy. Beat Army" or vice-versa? Just one that I know of, The Super Bowl. Football means a lot to Americans and when you are so far from home I guess it means a whole lot more. These kids they are not going to the NFL this is their last gridiron day of glory. This is not the SEC or Big 12 where the victors later today will be hailed as conquering heroes. These kids play their hearts out for the love, sure they are not as big or as Strong, or as fast as what we will see later but there are way more important overtones to this game. Great football it is not, great kids with and even greater purpose to their lives; absolutely.

When you watch the Army/Navy game understand that these kids could have gone to any Ivy league school and cruised through four years and become investment bankers and asshole lawyers. These kids have a higher sense of worth of self than just money. These kids are really something special, I guess all those that serve are really something special. So as this 108th meeting between these team draws to a close I hope you will take time to reflect on the men and women who keep us safe. It does not matter whether you fly and N* flag and cheer Go Navy. Beat Army. With Honor, Courage and Commitment. Or you believe in Duty. Honor. Country, and cheer go Army. Beat Navy. I salute you all and you are in my prayers and of course; THANK YOU from an appreciative nation.