The Brotherhood, the Rivalry, the Mission: Inside Army-Navy Football
The Steep Climb up Stony Lonesome Road is a rite of passage for Army football players. It’s not just a road; it’s a test of grit. In the dead of winter, when the shuttle buses aren’t running, players trudge through snow and freezing temperatures from their barracks to the Kimsey Athletic Center for 5 a.m. offseason mat drills. The climb is grueling, but it’s a reminder of the discipline and determination that define life at West Point.
As they near the top, players pass the historic “Beat Navy” house, a building dating back to 1875 that serves as a constant reminder of their ultimate mission. The illuminated sign out front isn’t just a decoration; it’s a declaration. At West Point, “Beat Navy” is more than a slogan—it’s a way of life. You’ll find it everywhere, from the Food Mart Go Army convenience store in nearby Fort Montgomery to the urinals in the football complex. Yes, even the urinals.
Down in Annapolis, Maryland, the sentiment is mutual. The U.S. Naval Academy is adorned with “GO NAVY BEAT ARMY” souvenirs year-round, but during “Army Week,” the rivalry reaches a fever pitch. Doors are double-checked, mascot security is heightened (a lesson learned after Navy’s goat mascot was once found near the Pentagon), and the scout team dons black stripes on their helmets to mimic Army’s players. The stakes are clear: this isn’t just a game; it’s a battle of pride, tradition, and service.
A Rivalry Like No Other
The Army-Navy Game, set to be played for the 125th time this Saturday in Landover, Maryland, is unlike any other rivalry in college football. It’s not just a game; it’s “America’s Game,” drawing a global audience of armed forces members past and present. But as college football evolves with NIL deals, transfer portals, and redshirting, the lives of cadets and midshipmen remain a stark contrast to the rest of the NCAA landscape.
“Their entire day is filled,” Navy coach Brian Newberry explained. “And it’s not just classes; it’s legitimate classes. They’ve got military responsibilities in the evening. They don’t get sleep like you do at another place.”
At Army and Navy, there’s no NIL money—Department of Defense rules prohibit endorsements or sponsorships. There’s no redshirting, and the transfer portal is virtually irrelevant. Any transfer must start over as a freshman academically and endure military training, making it an unappealing option for most players. Yet, despite these challenges, the players wouldn’t have it any other way.
Playing for Something Bigger
“A lot of what we talk about is serving something bigger than yourself,” said Navy senior fullback Daba Fofana. “The reason you play football and serve in the military isn’t for yourself. It’s for the love of the game, love of your country, and love for your brothers.”
Army junior linebacker Kalib Fortner echoed this sentiment. “It’s the brotherhood that’s at the center of everything we do and fight for. Playing for your brother beside you in the locker room, the one who lives down the hall in your barracks, every cadet who’s ever come through here, and most importantly, our country.”
ESPN followed Fortner and Fofana through their daily routines, from classes and military duties to football practice, to capture the unique experience of being a student-athlete at a service academy. Their days are long, their responsibilities immense, but their commitment unwavering.
A Day in the Life
For Fofana, mornings start at 7 a.m. in a spartan 100-square-foot dorm room. By 7:20, he’s out the door, not returning until 9 p.m. His day includes classes like Stoic Philosophy and Leadership, where students learn how to think critically, and Autonomy and Control Naval Weapons Systems, which delves into the mechanics of military technology. With a 3.69 GPA in applied physics, Fofana balances academics with football and leadership responsibilities as a team captain.
Fortner’s schedule is equally demanding. Up by 6:15 a.m., his day begins with predawn formation and mandatory breakfast. As a civil engineering major, he juggles 16½ credit hours, including courses like Structural Analysis and Platoon Operations. His afternoons are consumed by football meetings, practice, and leadership council duties. Evenings are for studying, often stretching past the 11:30 p.m. “Taps” bugle call.
- Both players live in dorms with strict inspections, from hospital corners on their beds to waxed floors and neatly arranged uniforms.
- Meals are family-style, with football players receiving extra portions to fuel their grueling schedules.
- There’s no time for distractions like TV or video games; every moment is accounted for.
The Brotherhood and the Rivalry
At the heart of it all is the brotherhood. “We’re not here to cash checks,” Fortner said. “We’re here to serve each other on this football team and later on our country.”
That sense of service extends to the field, where the Army-Navy rivalry is sacred. “People remember what you do in that game,” Fortner said. “You’re representing all of those who came before you.”
For Army coach Jeff Monken, the rivalry is about completing the mission. “We hadn’t been completing our mission in this series,” he said, referencing Army’s 12-game losing streak to Navy before his arrival. Since then, Army has won six of the past eight meetings, including a historic upset in 2016.
But as Monken reminds his team, “It’s only as good as this year.”
More Than a Game
As Army and Navy prepare for Saturday’s showdown, the stakes are clear. For these players, the game is about more than football. It’s about discipline, sacrifice, and a commitment to something greater than themselves. It’s about honoring the legacy of those who came before them and inspiring those who will follow.
“We take pride in holding ourselves accountable in everything we do,” Fortner said. “And in football, that means beating Navy. That’s how you’re judged here, and that’s the way it should be.”
Originally Written by: Andrea Adelson
