The annual tradition of intense rivalry and ceremonial spectacle, the Army-Navy game, is making waves again in Baltimore, much to the delight of military families, fans, and, undoubtedly, the tourism coffers of the city. As to the pre-game festivities taking a high-flying turn, the Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team executed a practice jump at M&T Bank Stadium, FOX Baltimore caught some GoPro Helmet footage of the team as they touched down onto the field, where tomorrow they'll deliver the official game ball before the headline event.
Meanwhile, on the ground, an equally arduous, if less aerodynamic, journey occurred. The game ball, under the charge of the Army West Point Marathon Team, traveled over 240 miles from New York to Baltimore. "The marathon team relays the ball from West Point to wherever the Army-Navy game is being played. This year we went to Baltimore — it was about 240 miles total," Cadet Michael Clay told CBS News Baltimore. That "dedication" Clay mentioned was put to the test as the team faced head-on the “sub-freezing temperatures on the way here."
This convergence of land and sky in the pre-game rituals underscores the sense of community and history behind the event. Indeed, the Army-Navy game prides itself on attracting a crowd with deep military roots, including this year's Miss America, Cassie Donegan, who said, "My dad's a Navy Veteran himself, from a long line of Naval Veterans, so being able to be here and continue cheering them on… I’m so excited. I cannot wait," according to what she shared with CBS News Baltimore.
Adding to the display of tradition, the march of midshipmen and cadets will begin Saturday morning, trekking from Camden Yards through Ravens Walk to M&T Bank Stadium. It’s a march that's slated to start at 11 a.m., a visible and vibrant prologue to the much-anticipated game, perhaps as momentous for some as the game itself.
