FOS Explains: Things You Didn't Know About the Army-Navy Game

The 125th edition of the Army-Navy game—also referred to as “America’s Game”—is set for Saturday, December 14.

But the game is more than just another matchup on the college football calendar. The rivalry’s rich past makes it one of the most important in American history.

From funding World War II to debuting two of the most significant inventions in sports, there’s much more to the Army-Navy lore.

1. The History

The rivalry goes back to Dennis Michie—who started at the United States Military Academy in 1888 and wanted to bring a football team to West Point.

Knowing the academic board would be reluctant to the idea, Cadet Michie had to get creative.

He convinced Navy—who already had a football team—to issue a challenge to West Point. Arguing that the academy’s pride was at stake, the board finally agreed to accept.

The game was played on November 29, 1890.

2. The First Football Helmet

The modern football helmet made its debut at the 1893 Army-Navy game.

Admiral Joseph M. Reeves—who played for the Navy—was told by doctors that getting kicked in the head could result in death or “instant insanity.”

Reeves asked a shoemaker to help protect himself while playing.

The NCAA says the shoe leather hat worn by Reeves in 1893 made him the first player to use a football helmet.

3. President Eisenhower Almost Participates

Before he was president, Dwight D. Eisenhower was a phenom on the West Point football field in 1912. The New York Times even dubbed him as “one of the most promising backs in Eastern football”—giving him the nickname “Kansas Cyclone.”

But two weeks before the matchup, Eisenhower twisted his knee in a game. Returning to practice later that week, with hopes of still playing against Navy, he tore the cartilage and tendons in his knee—ultimately ending his football career.

4. 1944 War Bonds

In 1994, the matchup was dubbed “The Game of the Century.”

Set during World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt had an idea to turn America’s biggest football rivalry at the time into a war bond drive.

After requiring everyone who attended to buy a war bond, it was announced that over $58.6 MILLION was raised.

5. The Importance of 1963 

The 1963 game was one of the most memorable in the history of the rivalry.

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated just eight days before the matchup was scheduled. Despite speculation that the game would be canceled, First Lady Jackie Kennedy insisted her husband, a proud former member of the Navy, would have wanted it to go on.

One of television’s most important inventions—the instant replay—would later debut during the game.

For more on the history of the Army-Navy rivalry, watch this week’s FOS Explains.

The annual Army-Navy game has always been a special outlier in the world of college football–but this year’s matchup comes with heightened stakes.

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