Fansided

Ranking the 10 most iconic college football traditions

By Phil Poling

COLLEGE STATION, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Texas A&M Aggies student section at Kyle Field on November 24, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Texas A&M Aggies student section at Kyle Field on November 24, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 10
Next
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 08: The Golden Knights parachute team jumps into the stadium before the Army Navy game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen on December 08, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 08: The Golden Knights parachute team jumps into the stadium before the Army Navy game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen on December 08, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 4: Army-Navy game

While some rivalries have fizzled in college football (and their traditions with them), Army versus Navy has stood the test of time. It regularly marks the end of the regular season and until 2009 was held on the first Saturday in December. Since then, the game’s been moved to the second Saturday, shining the spotlight on the final matchup deciding the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.

Sitting President’s routinely attend this rivalry, including George W. Bush (2001, 2004, 2008), Barack Obama (2011), and Donald J. Trump (2017). Theodore Roosevelt was the trendsetter back in 1901, though.

While the best football players aren’t typically featured in this matchup, you will see plenty of heart, teamwork, desire, and brotherhood not often seen between opposing teams. Following the game, each side meets at midfield, first facing toward the losing team’s fans and singing their alma mater, before facing the winning team’s fans and singing theirs’.

You might say it’s just a song, but to join your biggest rival in song after a gridiron showdown is an absolute sign of respect and solidarity. Alabama and Georgia aren’t gathering around to sing kumbaya after a game, neither are Ohio State and Michigan. But with Army and Navy, it’s bigger than just football.