Where football is more than a game

Photo: Reikan Donaldson (left) and Jordyn Law, of the Army Black Knights, by Edward Diller/Getty Images

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WEST POINT, NY -- As football goes, it was more like basketball. Wake Forest and Army gave their defenses Saturday off, filling up the scoreboard with 126 points, an offensive explosion that meant a whole lot of cannon fire and copious push-ups.

And I loved every moment, because watching a game here is unlike any other. It's a real display of patriotism far more meaningful, at least to me, than the NFL's overly produced "Salute to Service" campaign we're served each fall.

First order of business when I arrived was to get my gear right. I wore my new gray LA Rams hoodie (can never remember owning one), concealed by a sleeveless golf fleece (temps in low 50s). I had an LA Dodgers baseball cap on, and I knew I needed to ditch that to fit in with the home crowd at Michie Stadium.

So I beelined to a panel truck where Army wares were being hawked, and I quickly settled on a sweet-looking black cap with "AIR CAV" embroidered on the front in bright yellow, with a simple Army insignia on the back. Best $20 I've spent in a while. Oh, camouflage was a nice touch under the bill. Bonus!

Now I was ready to go root for America's team.

It was only my second time; I'm guessing at least 20 years after my first.

I'd taken an early-bird flight from Chicago to New York's LaGuardia (spiffy new terminal), rented a car and made the 90-minute drive north, impatiently crawling through notoriously clogged city highways before reaching the gorgeous Hudson Valley, her hills adorned with brightly changing foliage.

My entry to this great tradition was compliments of dear friend Seth Mendelson, who's been attending Army games ever since he was a kid (that goes WAY back) and has outstanding season tickets as proof of his loyalty.

When I told him I was planning to fly in and out on the same day, he was certain I'd be tardy. "No way you get there in time," he said, or something to that effect. Not only was I there an hour before kickoff, but I beat him and his childhood friend Mike Maizes, a Wake Forest guy, by roughly two hours.

Seth said they ran into unusual traffic, and I believe him. The game was a sellout, with a crowd of more than 38,000.

Once parked, I wanted to take in as many sights on campus as I could see on the long uphill trek to the stadium (it was NOT uphill both ways, if I'm being truthful).

More than anything, I was honored to be surrounded by so many professional soldiers who've dedicated their lives in service to our country and all the cadets in their crisp uniforms, the next generation of military leaders in-training.

It's impossible not to feel a sense of pride in our nation in such an atmosphere. And though we were all gathering for a football game, it represents so much more.

Before the game and at halftime, we were treated to the daring work of the West Point Parachute Team, members descending into the stadium from on high, hoping to stick the landing on the 50-yard line logo. A few hit the mark spot-on, to the delight of fans. Others sailed a bit beyond and were met with a loving, "Ahhhhhhh," from the faithful.

I have previously written on SPORTSOPOLY about what I consider the overuse of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at athletic events (please check it out). But not here. I was really looking forward to taking part in the custom. Unfortunately, I missed most of it. I was below the grandstand, returning with concessions, wondering why everyone was just standing there. Mind was completely focused on getting back to my seat when I realized what was going on. I stopped in my tracks, took my hat off and joined in the song, a bit embarrassed by my temporary lack of respect.

The rest of the afternoon was just as memorable. I have never seen a team score so many touchdowns in so little time as the Demon Deacons registered against the Black Knights. Wake Forest possessed the football just 17 minutes and 17 seconds and won the game 70-56, snapping a 13-game home winning streak for Army.

A small bunch of cadets surely woke up Sunday morning sore, and not due to the loss. You see, each time Army scores a touchdown or field goal a cannon marks the occasion with multiple firings (loudly!) and cadets get down on fours and do push-ups. That meant 56 push-ups for Army's last touchdown of the game (plus the other seven preceding...that adds up)! By my math, 252 push-ups total. No wonder they look so fit. They are!

I woke up Sunday sore as well but not because of that kind of calorie burn (though I did manage to get 12,060 steps in). A middle-aged man sitting on two flights (3+ hours), two car rides (3 hours) and a long game (3+ hours) on an unforgiving, chilling aluminum bench shows up in a creaky back and knees.

The discomfort was worth it.

Go Army!

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That's my take. What's yours? Fire off your comments!

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