Hall of Fame QB breaks down what Army vs. Navy game means to him and college football as the sport never stops changing
The Army vs. Navy game is one of the greatest gifts college football gives every single season. It's a celebration of the young leaders of the United States who are about to serve the nation selflessly. It's a celebration of competition and all the things that make college football great.And it's back again as Saturday, […]
The Army vs. Navy game is one of the greatest gifts college football gives every single season. It's a celebration of the young leaders of the United States who are about to serve the nation selflessly. It's a celebration of competition and all the things that make college football great.
And it's back again as Saturday, December 14th, Army will face off against Navy at 2pm CT for the 125th time in the last 134 years. A to Z Sports had a unique opportunity to interview a College Football Hall of Fame quarterback who used to play both these military academies back when he was quarterback of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Then after that he played 12 seasons in the NFL where he spent his entire career with the Washington Redskins (now the Commanders). The Commanders are now set to host this wonderful game this weekend just outside Washington D.C. (at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland).
Joe Theismann, former NFL MVP, Super Bowl winner, and All-Pro NFL quarterback joined A to Z Sports for a special interview. He is set to partner with USAA to help some families in need as the game kicks off this weekend. Having played against both academies multiple times in college and having played for the team who is set to host this historic game he is the perfect voice to hear from before Army faces Navy for their 125th battle on a football field. So, without further ado, Mr. Joe Theismann on the Army vs. Navy game:
A to Z Sports: When you were at Notre Dame your teams played Army and Navy a collective five times. What's it like lining up against a military academy defense that doesn't always have the best athletes, but perhaps plays more disciplined than anyone else you play all year long?
Theismann: Not just discipline. They're intense. When you put your chin strap on and you're going to play one of the academies, you better play from the kickoff to the last whistle because you know that's what they're going to do. They're going to fight you tooth and nail. At times, at Notre Dame, we were bigger than the academies, to a degree. We were able to–as the game went on–able to sort of wear them down a little bit. But they never stopped. There's just a great intensity to it. And I've never been to an Army-Navy game. I'm so excited to be able to see the pageantry. And to see all those cadets and all those naval young naval officers. It's hard to contain how excited I am to be able to be a part of this. To be able to see and witness what's going on. I'm a big visual person. I like visualizing things, and I can just imagine. The cadets and the naval seamen. And it's at Northwest stadium! It's here in Washington, D.C.! A stadium I'm familiar with having not necessarily played in it, but gone to it quite a bit. For the people of Washington and all those that haven't had a chance to be a part of what's going on in the city now get a chance to see something really special.
A to Z Sports: What does the Army-Navy game really mean for college football in your mind at this point? Why is it is such a huge deal and deserving of its own standalone weekend 134 years after the inaugural matchup? Why should new, young, up-and-coming college football fans care about this game so much?
Theismann: It's the beginning of a new season. It's the beginning of an exciting time, and it stands alone. Now, here could be potentially the problem from a collegiate athletic standpoint. Let's say either one of these teams is ranked one or two in the nation, and they get a bid to the college [football] playoffs. I hope this game doesn't go away [when and if that happens]. They still would have a period of time to be able to prepare, which is what they do. That's looking down into the crystal ball many years. Could be [this year] though since Army is 11-1.
A to Z Sports: Yeah, had Army beaten Notre Dame they may have been in the College Football Playoff already.
Theismann: I guess, being a Notre Dame grad, number one, I'm glad [Army didn't beat Notre Dame and make the playoff]. Number two, I'm glad that we are able to to preserve this weekend in college sports. Because it's a standalone game. It should get the recognition that it's going to get. People should be able to tune into television on Saturday and say, 'What's on TV? It's the Army-Navy game. I'm going to watch. I want to watch it.' Because it's like I said, these are the young leaders of our country. This, to me, is a way for our country, which has gone through so much turmoil at times, and what's going on in the world…This is a chance for us to bond, to be able to feel really, really good about this country of ours. And like I say, the Commanders are the football team [hosting in this city]. Washington is the seat of command of the military. You've got the two military academies playing out for a special trophy…commander in chief trophy. So you have all those things lined up, and you can't help but get excited about it.
A to Z Sports: Definitely. Well, who is your pick then in this game? Like you said, Army is 11-1. Navy is 8-3. But Navy's got that fun diverse scheme…It's not just your typical option offense. They throw, and I mean, they really pass in a way that looks like a much more modern offense than we're accustomed to seeing them roll out there. And Army is favored right now, but not by a lot [Editor's Note: Army is favored by 6.5 points as of this writing].
Theismann: Yeah, it's two contrasting styles. When Army and Navy played [in years] before…they were basically the same thing. Army's going to run it. Navy's going to run it. Navy's added a twist to be able to put the ball down the field and that's always scared me. Notre Dame has struggled with Navy in the last five years like incredible. Every time I look at the Notre Dame's schedule, I look at it and I go, 'Oh, gosh, we're playing Navy.' They've beaten us two or three times in the last few years. And it's that darn wishbone. I'm sort of glad they got rid of it to be honest with you. Whatever they call the option there. But they'll throw it around and I think Army's going to try and control the game as they have. Army has resurrected three yards in a cloud of dust.
A to Z Sports: Maybe four and a half yards and a cloud of dust these days. [Editor's Note: it's actually 5.7 yards per carry in a cloud of dust this season, which is why they're 11-1]!
Theismann: Yeah, it is four and a half yards in a cloud of dust now! I think it's a tough game to pick. If Army can keep the ball away from Navy. And be able to do what they were able to do running it…time of possession will be critical and it's probably going to swing in that way. But if Navy can put the points up, force Army into something uncomfortable, which is basically throwing the football then it could go the other way. So that's why I live in Washington, D.C…even though I'm not a politician. That's my political answer.
A to Z Sports: Ha, okay. Well if you're going to give a political answer it belongs in this game and in that town (just outside Washington D.C. where the Army-Navy game will be played).
Hopefully you enjoyed this Joe Theismann interview special as he gets ready to share special charitable gifts via partnership with USAA to help some families in need this holiday season.
Enjoy the game. Enjoy the pageantry of Army vs. Navy as the country celebrates the 125th meeting between these two phenomenal military academies that serve this wonderful nation and entertain college football fans every year in this epic battle!
We'll be back with more College Football and NFL coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
And if you want to check out some of the best plays from Joe Theismann's incredible football career you can watch every single one of his 29 touchdown passes from his 1983 NFL MVP season in the video below!
