My father was a Navy veteran.
Even before I knew whether a football had air or feathers in it I watched Army-Navy. Always, always, we rooted for Navy.
Not yesterday. Not for the past several years, in fact.
Even as a lifetime Navy fan it's just too damn hard to see Army lose the game that means everything, year after year after year, so often these past few times in heartbreaking fashion. It happened again yesterday and it hurts even this Navy fan.
Do yourself a favor today and read Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Bill Lyon's take on a game that always ends with what he calls the "best tear-streaked 5½ minutes in sports." (LINK)
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Speaking of Army-Navy, one of the arguments out of Cambridge and New Haven against the Ivy League competing in the FCS playoffs is that The Game is the perfect way to end the season.Harvard-Yale is a great game but sorry, it's not Army-Navy. And guess what?
Navy will be playing in the postseason again this year and that took absolutely nothing away from what happened yesterday. Likewise, while Army would like nothing more than to beat Navy next year, it's not going to turn down a bowl bid if it happens to come along in 2016.
Those at Harvard and Yale who argue against their teams playing again after The Game because it would spoil that experience might want to take notice.
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Although I know media members who reveal their Heisman vote in advance of the Saturday night announcement, I've never broken that rule. I promised earlier in the week I would share my ballot, so here it is:
