While every Army-Navy game has great meaning, the ones played during time of war have extra poignancy. With the recent announcement that the number of troops committed to Afghanistan will increase, yesterday's game became important viewing.
Perhaps the most meaningful game in series history occurred in 1963. The Cold War was raging and the United States was about to increase its presence in one particular hot spot-Vietnam. Then the nation was stunned to learn that President John Kennedy (pictured before 1962 Army-Navy game) was shot and killed in Dallas one morning in late November. The Army-Navy game was played two weeks and a day later, one week after it was originally scheduled. Here is our recap from The USA Today Encyclopedia of College Football:
Navy 21 Army 15 (Philadelphia): Game was originally cancelled due to presidential assassination, but widow, Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy, made special request that it be played. FB Pat Donnelly scored 3 TDs, last at end of 91y drive that gave Navy (9-1) 21-7 lead with less than 11 mins left and Tars appeared on their way to Cotton Bowl. But, unsung Army (7-3) QB Rollie Stichweh ignored his passing O and created all-infantry 52y TD march and added 2-pt run. Stichweh's TD run was shown by CBS as TV's 1st-ever instant replay. Now back to live action: Stichweh immediately fell on K Dick Heydt's perfect on-side KO at Middies 49YL and Cadets were in business. After 5 meticulous runs and 11y pass to WB Don Parcells, Army used its last timeout with ball at 7YL and 1:38 left. After 2 runs to 4YL, and with 130,000 fans in uproar, ref called time to aid Army's signal-calling. Stichweh made mistake of re-huddling his team, while unaware clock was running. Cadets HB Ken Waldrop's plunge went to 2YL, but time expired with Stichweh hopelessly pleading for quiet so Army could run 4th down play. No. 2 Navy won its 5th in row over Army, but in barely surviving Middies might have left some of their zest for upcoming Cotton Bowl showdown with no. 1 Texas.
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