Navy vs. Air Force game is back on

By Corey Leahy | Oct 2, 2013

Sep 28, 2013; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback John Hendrick (10) throws a pass against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the second half at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Western Kentucky won 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

Despite the government shutdown, Navy and Air Force will still have their football game this weekend in Annapolis, MD. According to Sports Illustrated,

"The teams will be allowed to play because the games are paid for with non-appropriated funds."

As you can see here, Navy Athletics posted this tweet just a little while ago.

navyfootball /

It is also unknown as to how this government shutdown will affect any of the other football games this season that include the military teams. In the coming weeks, Army plays Eastern Michigan in West Point on October 12, Navy will play at Duke on the 12th as well, and the Air Force will play San Diego at home on the 10th.

This game was still up in the air earlier today, but now it’s apparent that the game will officially be played.

On the SI article,

"It was reported that calling off the Navy-Air Force contest could have resulted in more than $4 million in lost revenue for the Naval Academy."

The approval for the three teams to participate in football came from none other than the Secretary of Defense. This isn’t the first time the service teams have gotten the opportunity to play despite a government shutdown. According to ESPN,

"Each of the three service academies played games during one of the last government shutdowns from Nov. 14-19, 1995, but each of them played games at home. On Nov. 18, 1995, Army defeated Bucknell 37-6 at West Point, N.Y.; Navy defeated Tulane 35-7 in Annapolis, Md.; and Air Force lost to Notre Dame 44-14 in Colorado Springs, Colo."

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