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The moment we’ve all been waiting for...
Christmas came early for Navy fans across the globe with the much anticipated release of the 2019 Army-Navy uniforms. The Navy Equipment department has been posting “false alarms” all week as they showcase uniforms from other athletic teams. Admittedly, some of the other swag is pretty sweet.
You ask. You receive.
— Navy Equipment (@NavyEquipment) December 4, 2019
A futbol uniform from @NavyWSoccer collection. And look at their DTOM pre-game tee.... pic.twitter.com/dhvwh2ixZQ
UNIFORM ALERT! @NavyWaterPolo went full #DTOM this season including their home and away caps! #GoNavy pic.twitter.com/upjb90iTSA
— Navy Equipment (@NavyEquipment) December 2, 2019
However, none compare to the uniforms that the Navy Midshipmen will be wearing on December 14th when they take on the Army Black Knights in the 120th Army-Navy Game.
2019 Army-Navy Game - Navy Midshipmen
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The Navy Midshipmen will reach deep into their Naval roots and anchor on their closely held motto that “Tradition Never Graduates”. These uniforms are inspired by that which was worn by some of the greatest Navy teams to ever step on the pitch in the 1960s.
The uniform pays homage to Navy’s two Heisman Trophy winners, Joe Bellino and Roger Stabauch, who played in the late 1950’s and early 1960s. Bellino, the 1960 winner of the award, helped lead Navy to a No. 4 ranking and Orange Bowl appearance in his senior season, and went onto play for the Boston Patriots while also having a 28 year career in the Navy and Navy Reserves and retiring as a Captain. Mr. Bellino passed away earlier this year at the age of 81, and will forever go down as one of the Navy greats.
Staubach led the Mids to a 1963 Cotton Bowl berth and No. 2 ranking, going up against No. 1 Texas for the National Championship. He went on to have a prolific career with the Dallas Cowboys following his Navy commitment, winning two Super Bowls and being the first player to win both the Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl MVP!
We have to say, that in this, the 150th year of college football, these uniforms are an outstanding way to pay respect to two of the greatest to ever lace them up for Navy and some of the greatest Navy teams of all time!
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Although, this is not the exact form of the uniform that each Midshipmen will be wearing come next Saturday. Each Midshipmen is allowed to wear a patch on their chest of their choosing. The patches typically comes from active duty units within the Navy and Marine Corps; however, it can actually come from a wide range of units/organizations within the entire Department of Defense.
The 2019 gear is among the best we’ve seen in recent seasons. But, where does it stack up next to other years? Let’s take a blast to the past and look at every Army-Navy uniform the Midshipmen have worn this decade.
2010
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2011
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2012
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2013
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2014
2014 was the first year that Navy switched over from Nike to Under Armour. With the change to Under Armour, the uniforms began having specific themes associated with them. In 2014, the fits represented a “Don’t Tread on Me” theme - a historic motto by the Navy, and now, the nation as a whole.
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2015
In 2015, each position group had a different U. S. Naval Vessel on their helmet. It encompassed the vast and dynamic nature of the Navy Fleet.
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2016
Well, this wasn’t a good year for the Midshipmen. 2016 was the year that the Army Black Knights broke the 14-game winning streak that Navy held. How about we just ignore this year’s outfits? The mustard-look isn’t great anyways.
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2017
The Blue Angels are the U. S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron. Their mission is “to showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach.” The uniforms are in honor of the Blue Angels.
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2018
Last year’s uniforms were designed to match Navy’s mascot, Bill the Goat. And frankly, Bill truly is the G. O. A. T..
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2019
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So, what do you think? Which Army-Navy uniform is your favorite from the decade?