Let's hear it for your favorite team!
How about a little history and memorabilia while we are at it.
Army-Navy 1961-1963
In Jan 1961, John F. Kennedy swore in as the 35th President of the United States. Growing up, football inundated the Kennedy household. In 1936, Kennedy enrolled in Harvard University. Following in the footsteps of his all-star older brother, Joe Kennedy Jr., JFK immediately tried out for the Harvard team. John played football all four years for Harvard’s freshman and junior varsity team. While prior illnesses, kept his weight down, his coach commented that he was the most adept pass receiver on the team.
After graduation, JFK attempted to join the Army but was medically disqualified due to lower back problems. After intense therapy and exercise, Kennedy joined the Navy Reserves as an officer. He served on a PT Boat during World War II and earned a Purple Heart and Navy Marine Corps Medal for Heroism. Therefore, give JFK’s love for both football and the uniformed services, the Army-Navy game drew his attention and love when he was elected President.
JFK attended the 1961 Army-Navy game within his first year as President. His attendance was more than obligatory. Fans were able to see his excitement for the atmosphere, the teams, and football as he intermingled with the players and the visitors in the crowd. His charisma was infectious and it provided a key revitalization on the series. While his role as Commander-in-Chief forced him to be neutral, it was clear of his excitement as Navy defeated Army 14-7. In 1962, Kennedy again attended the game. He watched from his box with furor and excitement as Navy, led by quarterback Roger Staubach, crushed Army 34-14 in a game that the scouts called a “toss-up”.
In 1963, the President was scheduled to again attend the game in the last week of November. On November 22, 1963, eight days before the scheduled Army-Navy game, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. The loss sent ripples of deep loss and confusion through American. Officials immediately canceled the game out of respect for the President. However, it was Jackie Kennedy that reached out to Academy officials and asked them to continue with the game. She expressed how much the game meant to her husband and how it was important for national healing to continue with this storied tradition.
Officials rescheduled the game for December 7, 1963 with CBS set to provide national television coverage of the event. Cadets turned the event into a memorial event for their biggest fan and ensured that every bit of their pageantry honored and respected the President. Their actions were noticed around the nation as a record 25 million viewers tuned in to the game and collectively started the healing process. The stadium was quiet and somber up until the opening kickoff. That kick released an eruption of emotion and told the nation it was going to be ok. It grounded all those in attendance and watching on television that life would continue. For the 100K in attendance that watched Navy defeat Army 21-15, it told them that it was ok to cheer and laugh just as the President did in that same stadium so many years before.
In 1964 Philadelphia officials renamed Philadelphia Stadium to John F. Kennedy Stadium in memory of the late President and as an honor for his commitment to the Army-Navy game. Academies played the game there annually from 1964-1979 until it was moved to the newly built Veteran’s Stadium down the road.
Photos:
-1937 Photo of JFK on the Harvard JV team. JFK is 3rd Row(Standing), 3rd from the right. -JFK Library
- 1961 Army Navy Game Program
- 1962 Army Navy Game Program
- 1962 Army Navy Unused Ticket to President's Box belonging to General Chester Clifton (Senior Military Aide)
- 1962 Flight Schedule for the game
- 1962 Photos of JFK at the Game
-1963 Army Navy Game Program
-1963 Army Navy Unused ticket to the game
