a fan?

Do you love football? Have you ever seen a thousand long gray military coats huddled together in a parking lot circle on a crisp evening? What a spectacular sight. When they march across a field, it is an outstanding display!!! Btw, I was captivated with the look of the Army, while I sat cheering for the Navy.:)

Army and Navy have a long standing rivalry. Before that game, Army was the underdog and once again, Navy came out on top. However, it was Army who played the best game, with the most heart and should have been the winners.

Why do I say that? Because they came in with a warrior’s attitude. They marched bravely out in their full glory and took the field with zest. They were down and behind….when their quarterback made some amazing plays. He moved his team down the field like a machine until there was a fluke play. Just one of those things, I suppose. At that unfortunate turn, the momentum of the game was lost. Army was up in the last few minutes and had all the energy going their way. But, with one little play, the ball was turned over and Navy seized their opportunity. Army played valiantly to the end. But, it was heartbreaking for me, a Navy fan standing among my Army friends. My Navy guys were whooping it up across the field, but I couldn’t enjoy it with them. They didn’t deserve the win, Army did.

Why am I a Navy fan for life, and yet why was I an Army fan that day? I can’t describe it. It might be from my teenage years, when those navy bell bottoms with the five button front placket were a hot fashion statement. It may be from my love of boats -since the Navy christens ships regularly and are always “at sea”. Or it may be summed up with my avatar, drawn personally on my smart phone for me by an 8 year old who captured my essence. Don’t you think so?

Despite why I changed sides sitting in the Army stands with friends who had tickets, it was their game and they lost double that day. Double, because they already had the odds against them and then when they were almost at the victor’s line, they lost it at the last minute in a tragic turnover. I could feel how the center who fumbled the ball felt -as he hung his head. A team wins and loses- together.

That’s why we play hard, we play to win. We play what we are dealt and never give up. We support our fellows- family- friends- no matter how the game ends. We are teams first and win or lose, we always have each other. That’s what I saw in the Army team. They should win next year!!! I sure hope so.

And, I hope those friends, invite me back to sit on the Army’s side. If Navy plays with the most heart next year, they will have their fan with them, no matter where I happen to be sitting.