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Army vs. Navy Game 2022: Start Time and Predictions for Rivalry Game

Dec 9, 2022
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Navy Midshipmen quarterback Xavier Arline (7) hands off to Navy Midshipmen fullback Daba Fofana (45)during the football game between the UCF Knights and the Navy Midshipmen on November 19th, 2022 at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Andrew Bershaw/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Navy Midshipmen quarterback Xavier Arline (7) hands off to Navy Midshipmen fullback Daba Fofana (45)during the football game between the UCF Knights and the Navy Midshipmen on November 19th, 2022 at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Andrew Bershaw/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Army and Navy have both had some struggles during the 2022 college football season. Neither is heading to a bowl game.

But the Black Knights and the Midshipmen still have one important contest to play. For the players on both teams, it's the biggest matchup of the year: the annual Army-Navy game.

The series marks one of the best rivalries in college football, and the 2022 edition is set to take place on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Even though the Black Knights and Midshipmen each have a losing record, that doesn't matter when these programs face off.

Here's everything you need to know about this year's Army-Navy game.

2022 Army-Navy Game Information

Date: Saturday, Dec. 10

Start Time: 3 p.m. ET

TV: CBS

Preview, Predictions

This will be the 123rd edition of the Army-Navy game, a rivalry matchup that dates back to 1890. The Midshipmen lead the all-time series 62-53-7, and they notched a 17-13 victory in last year's contest.

However, the Black Knights have fared quite well in the series in recent years. After Navy won every meeting from 2002-15, Army won four of five from 2016-20 before losing last year.

The 2022 edition of the game should be a competitive one, as both teams seem to be fairly even. This series has sometimes resulted in lopsided contests, but that shouldn't be the case this year.

Army (5-6) has won four of its past six games and is coming off back-to-back victories over UConn and UMass. The Black Knights haven't beaten any ranked teams, but they took UTSA (the Conference USA champions) to overtime on Sept. 10, before falling 41-38.

Navy (4-7) hasn't played since Nov. 19, but it notched an impressive victory in its most recent action, as it defeated UCF (ranked No. 20 at the time) 17-14. The Midshipmen also lost by only three points to Notre Dame a week earlier.

Per usual, neither Army nor Navy has passed the ball often this season. The Midshipmen have had 122 passing attempts, while the Black Knights have 92. These programs keep the ball on the ground and run it nearly every play.

Among the most exciting players in this year's matchup is Army senior quarterback Tyhier Tyler. He leads the Black Knights in rushing with 601 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Navy's rushing attack has been powered by sophomore fullback Daba Fofana, who has compiled 749 yards and six touchdowns. He's coming off back-to-back games in which he ran for more than 100 yards.

Because of the style of play of both offenses, this should be a low-scoring matchup again this year, and it could be decided by what happens when Army has the ball.

The Black Knights are rushing for a whopping 304.4 yards per game, second most in the country. The Midshipmen are allowing only 85.6 rushing yards per game, which ranked first in the AAC and fourth in the nation.

But Navy should have a good bit of confidence after playing a close game against Notre Dame and then upsetting UCF. So expect the Midshipmen to ride that momentum to a close victory over their biggest rival.

Prediction: Navy 20, Army 16

Army Football Player Among Those Hospitalized for Drug Overdose on Spring Break

Mar 12, 2022
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 06: A Army Black Knights helmet sits on an equipment box during the Lockheed Martin Commanders Classic between the Army Black Knights and the Air Force Falcons on November 6, 2021 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 06: A Army Black Knights helmet sits on an equipment box during the Lockheed Martin Commanders Classic between the Army Black Knights and the Air Force Falcons on November 6, 2021 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

One member of Army's football program was among six people treated for a drug overdose on a spring break trip. 

According to Michael Hill and Terry Spencer of the Associated Press, the people overdosed on fentanyl-laced cocaine at a Florida vacation home. 

A West Point official told Hill and Spencer that one of the people hospitalized is an Army football player. A second player was at the house at the time but was not hospitalized. 

Rescue and emergency officials said two of the six people are in critical condition. 

Steve Gollan, Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue battalion chief, told Hill and Spencer that the two people in critical condition are on ventilators, two others are in stable condition, one is in good condition and one has been released. 

According to Gollan, two of the people became ill after attempting to administer CPR to the bodies of two other people who had collapsed. 

The New York academy’s public affairs office said in a statement to the AP it was "aware of the situation involving West Point cadets, which occurred Thursday night in the community of Wilton Manors."

No names have been released, and the Broward County sheriff’s office is currently investigating the situation. 

Army's Last-Second Field Goal Gives It 2021 Armed Forces Bowl Win vs. Missouri

Dec 23, 2021
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) is unable to stop Army running back Jakobi Buchanan, center top, who reached the end zone for a touchdown on a running play in the second half of the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game in Fort Worth, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Emil Lippe)
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) is unable to stop Army running back Jakobi Buchanan, center top, who reached the end zone for a touchdown on a running play in the second half of the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game in Fort Worth, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Emil Lippe)

The Army Black Knights maintained their undefeated Armed Forces Bowl record with a 24-22 win over the Missouri Tigers on Wednesday. Cole Talley kicked the game-winning 41-yard field goal as time expired to help Army finish the season 9-4.

It's the Black Knights' fourth win in the Armed Forces Bowl and first win over a Power Five team since 2017.

Army trailed 16-7 before mounting a comeback in the second half. The Black Knights relied on their vaunted triple-option rushing attack. Jakobi Buchanan was an absolute force on the ground with 68 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.

Army went in front early in the fourth quarter when backup quarterback Tyhier Tyler found Brandon Walters for a 14-yard touchdown pass on fourth down. Tyler was inserted into the game after starter Christian Anderson, who ran for 33 yards and a score, was ruled out with an apparent leg injury.

From that point on, it was up to the Army defense to secure the win. The Black Knights recovered a fumble on the next possession and then forced the Tigers to punt. But the Tigers wouldn't go down easily.

Missouri quarterback Brady Cook led the Tigers on an 83-yard drive to take the lead with 1:11 left in the game. He went 7-of-9 for 72 yards and threw a touchdown to Keke Chism on the go-ahead possession.

But Army showed its resiliency and marched down the field to set up Talley for the game-winner. A key facemask penalty on Missouri kept the drive alive.

Missouri finishes the year 6-7. Cook led the Tigers with 238 passing yards and a touchdown to go with 53 rushing yards and a score in the loss.

Missouri was without running back Tyler Badie, who sat out the game in favor of preparing for the 2022 NFL draft. Badie led the SEC and ranked third in Division I with 1,604 rushing yards this season.

Navy Upsets Army 17-13 in Rivalry Game Behind Tai Lavatai's 2 TDs

Dec 11, 2021
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 11: Tai Lavatai #1 of The Navy Midshipmen drops back to pass during the first half of a game against the Army Black Knights at MetLife Stadium on December 11, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 11: Tai Lavatai #1 of The Navy Midshipmen drops back to pass during the first half of a game against the Army Black Knights at MetLife Stadium on December 11, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

The Navy Midshipmen won their second straight game on Saturday with a 17-13 win over the Army Black Knights at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It was Navy's first victory over Army since 2019, as the Black Knights took last year's rivalry game 15-0. 

It was also Navy's second win in the series over the last six years as Army has dominated the annual rivalry game as of late.  However, Navy won 14 straight games against Army between 2002-15. Maybe the tides are beginning to shift in the Midshipmen's favor. 

Navy finishes the regular season with a 4-8 record, while Army finishes 8-4.

Notable Stats

Tai Lavatai, QB, NAVY: 4/6 for 82 YDS and 20 CAR for 62 YDS and 2 TDs

Christian Anderson, QB, ARMY: 7/15 for 108 YDS and 9 CAR for 67 YDS, 1 TD

Carlinos Acie, RB, NAVY: 9 CAR for 34 YDS 

Jakobi Buchanan, RB, ARMY: 4 CAR for 24 YDS

Mychal Cooper, WR, NAVY: 1 REC for 28 YDS

Recap and Reaction

Saturday's Army-Navy game began with some pretty great trash-talking ahead of kickoff. 

Aside from the trash-talking, it was a well-fought contest between Army and Navy, and the Black Knights kicked things off with a 56-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Christian Anderson. 

However, Navy quarterback Tai Lavatai responded with an 8-yard rushing score of his own on the following drive to tie the game at seven a piece. 

Army outplayed Navy in the first half of Saturday's rivalry game. The Black Knights had 175 yards of total offense compared to the Midshipmen's 130 yards. Army also had eight first downs compared to Army's five, and Anderson undoubtedly outplayed Lavatai. 

However, many were quick to note that Lavatai still had a strong first half despite entering the locker room down 13-7, and he didn't disappoint to open up the third quarter. 

Lavatai and the Midshipmen came out buzzing after halftime, with a major turning point in the game being the quarterback's two-yard rushing score to help give Navy a 14-13 lead, an advantage they would never surrender. 

Navy then added a field goal with 6:10 remaining in the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 17-13, and many praised Lavatai for his second-half performance, which is a big reason why the Midshipmen came out victorious on Saturday.

It should also be noted that the Midshipmen defense stood tall, too, allowing the Black Knights just 102 yards in the second half and forcing the team to punt three straight times before forcing a turnover on downs to seal the win. 

Saturday's game marked Army's lowest scoring output since a 20-14 Oct. 16 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers, further emphasizing how good the Midshipmen defense was at MetLife Stadium.

Player and Coach Reaction

What's Next?

While Navy's season is officially over, Army will move on to face Missouri in the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 22. 

Army vs. Navy Game 2021: TV Schedule, Live Stream and Odds for Epic Rivalry

Dec 11, 2021
Army cadets march on to the field before the 121st Army Navy NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in West Point, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Army cadets march on to the field before the 121st Army Navy NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in West Point, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

There are rivalries, and then there's Army vs. Navy, perhaps the most storied and intense rivalry in all of college football.

For the 122nd time, the Cadets and Midshipmen will battle it out for the right to "sing second."

Army (8-3) comes into the patriotic matchup on Saturday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as the favorite, having won four of the last five matchups over Navy (3-8).

Not only are fierce bragging rights on the line, but for the Black Knights, it's a chance to reach nine wins for the second straight season and the right to hang on to the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy.

It's been a disappointing season for the Midshipmen, but if they pull off the upset over the Black Knights, it would likely go a long way to putting that behind them.

To date, Navy leads the all-time series 61-53-7, but Army has been dominant of late in the traditionally low-scoring matchup.

Here's a quick look at how to watch "America's Game" and a brief preview of what to expect.

      

Army-Navy Game Information

Date: Saturday, December 11

Location: MetLife Stadium - East Rutherford, NJ

Start Time: 3 p.m. ET 

TV: CBS

Live Stream: CBSSports.com or CBS Sports app

Odds (via Oddschecker): Army (-7.5), Navy (+7.5); over/under: 36.5

                

Preview

Last year, Army beat Navy 15-0, and this season, it feels like the game might be just as lopsided as the previous one.

The Black Knights are playing in the Armed Forces Bowl against Missouri on Dec. 22, while this is the end of the line for the Midshipmen.

"Our guys could care less about the bowl game," Army head coach Jeff Monken told Mitchell Northam of SB Nation. "They knew. They all read it online. They all got a phone. They knew before they got to the team meeting yesterday. Really, it was just kind of matter of fact. They didn't want to hear anything about it. They were ready to get on and get ready to prepare for Navy. There wasn't any big celebration or jumping up and down or anything like that.

"There's one game in the whole world right now, and that's the one this Saturday. That's all our guys really care about. It's all I really care about."

While the history between these two teams runs deep and definitely embodies everything great about sports, the game itself will not be the kind of high-powered scoring game that is prevalent in college football.

Both teams feature run-heavy offenses, the kind of smashmouth football that isn't played as much these days with all of the gunslinging quarterbacks that rule the sport.

Army only averages 7.7 pass attempts per game, the lowest in the nation. Navy is right there with them with only 8.3 pass attempts per contest. 

The most points scored in any Army-Navy Game since 2014 is 38 (2015, 2016 and 2019). In all of the recent high-scoring games, the Midshipmen emerged victorious.

Football fans might recall how the New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills 14-10 recently on Dec. 6. They followed Navy-supporter Bill Belichick's game plan of running the ball. The Patriots ran the ball 46 times for 222 yards and only three passes for 19 yards.

Both service academies will likely mirror New England's ground-based attack and are very familiar with each other's game plans.

"We know each other very well," Monken told Scott Allen of the Washington Post. "Their team knows ours, and we know them. We recruit the same guys, and we compete over the same things all the time. It'll be the toughest game we've played all year. We know that."

The odds favor the Black Knights to beat the Midshipmen this time around, and considering how Air Force beat Navy 23-3 back in September and how Army beat Air Force 21-14 in November, the signs are the oddsmakers might be right.

Army Cadets Accidentally Kidnap Wrong Goat in Effort to Steal Navy's Mascot

Nov 24, 2021
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 14: Bill the Goat has a snack before the game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at Lincoln Financial Field on December 14, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 14: Bill the Goat has a snack before the game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at Lincoln Financial Field on December 14, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Army Cadets accidentally kidnapped the wrong goat during a secret raid of a Maryland farm in search of Navy's mascot, Bill No. 37, over the weekend.

Dave Philipps of the New York Times reported Tuesday that the long tradition of trying to steal the opponent's mascot has continued despite pleas from military officials to stop the practice, which typically happens during the lead-up to the annual Army-Navy football game.

This year's clash between the Black Knights and the Midshipmen is scheduled for Dec. 11, and Army tried to strike first with its "spirit mission" in search for Bill No. 37.

Instead, the cadets returned to West Point—the United States Military Academy—with Bill No. 34, a retired mascot who's 14 years old and deals with arthritis, according to a joint statement from Army and Navy provided to the New York Times.

A military employee told Philipps the goat was returned to the farm Monday and that a veterinarian said the animal was in "good health" following a checkup.

Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams and Vice Adm. Sean Buck, the superintendents of the academies, confirmed in the joint statement the situation is under investigation, saying they are "disappointed by the trust that was broken recently between our brothers and sisters in arms" and the Cadets' actions don't "reflect either academy's core values of dignity and respect."

They also reiterated the stealing of animal mascots is "off limits."

Army (7-3) will likely be the heavy favorite over Navy (2-8) when the teams meet to close out the regular season next month at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

24 Army Football Players Involved in West Point Academic Cheating Scandal

Dec 30, 2020
The Army logo is painted on a football field at Yankee Stadium ahead of the Army-Rutgers NCAA college football game, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011 in New York. The two teams are scheduled to play on Saturday. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
The Army logo is painted on a football field at Yankee Stadium ahead of the Army-Rutgers NCAA college football game, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011 in New York. The two teams are scheduled to play on Saturday. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Twenty-four members of the Army football team were involved in an academic cheating scandal at West Point. 

Per USA Today's Tom Vanden Brook, a total of 73 cadets were accused of cheating on a calculus exam in May. 

From that group, 55 are athletes, with 24 being football players who appeared in at least one game this season—of which 17 are still on the Black Knights' roster heading into their bowl game against West Virginia. 

In a separate report from Dec. 21, Vanden Brook noted that 58 cadets admitted to cheating on an exam that had to be "administered remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic."

Tim Bakken, a law professor at West Point, spoke to Vanden Brook about the scandal:

"There's no excuse for cheating when the fundamental code for cadets is that they should not lie, cheat or steal. Therefore when the military tries to downplay effects of cheating at the academy, we're really downplaying the effects on the military as a whole. We rely on the military to tell us honestly when we should fight wars, and when we can win them." 

In an October memo distributed to West Point faculty and obtained by Vanden Brook, Army superintendent Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams wrote that he suspended a policy that would prevent or limit cadets in violation of the honor code from representing Army at public events, including sporting events, because it "has resulted in an inequitable application of consequences and developmental opportunities for select groups of cadets." 

West Point spokesman, Army Lt. Col. Christopher Ophardt, told Vanden Brook that punishment is being "delayed ... until final adjudication."

Vanden Brook noted that instructors determined cheating occurred because all 73 cadets "made the same error on a portion of the exam."

Seventy-two of the 73 cadets accused of cheating were in their first year at West Point. Many of the 58 cadets who admitted to cheating are currently enrolled in a rehabilitation program, per Vanden Brook. 

The names of the cadets are not being released. West Point is expected finalize disciplinary measures in January. 

Army will wrap up the 2020 football season on Thursday against West Virginia in the Liberty Bowl. 

Army Beats Navy 15-0 Behind Tyhier Tyler's 96-Yard Rushing Effort

Dec 12, 2020
Navy quarterback Xavier Arline (7) rushes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Army on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in West Point, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Navy quarterback Xavier Arline (7) rushes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Army on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in West Point, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

For the fourth time in five years, the Army Black Knights have defeated the Navy Midshipmen, 15-0, in the annual meeting between the two military programs.

After Navy ended its three-year losing streak to its rival in 2019 with a 31-7 blowout, Army head coach Jeff Monken got his team back on track Saturday to cap off an impressive 8-2 regular season.

The Midshipmen's loss dropped their record to 3-7, marking just their second time having a losing record under head coach Ken Niumatalolo.

Offense was difficult to come by for both teams because of the heavy fog that hovered over the field all day. Tyhier Tyler scored the game's only touchdown in the fourth quarter to help put Army up by 10 points.

The two teams combined for 15 punts, two turnovers on downs, one turnover and a safety.

     

Notable Game Stats

  • Tyhier Tyler, QB (Army): 1-of-1, 28 yards; 26 carries, 96 yards, TD
  • Tyrell Robinson, RB (Army): 5 carries, 13 yards
  • Xavier Arline, QB (Navy): 0-of-4, 0 yards; 17 carries, 109 yards
  • Nelson Smith, RB (Navy): 11 carries, 23 yards

     

Army's Defense Solidifies Status Among College Football's Best Units

It's a dangerous combination to put a woeful offense against an elite defense, as Navy found out Saturday.

Army's been a successful program for the past five years, but it's rare that fans and analysts will discuss the team outside of its one high-profile nationally televised game of the year.

It's too bad, because the Black Knights boast one of the best defensive units in the country.

That group entered Saturday ranked fourth in the nation with 289.3 yards allowed per game, eighth in scoring defense with 16.3 points allowed per game and 23rd in run defense with 119.0 yards allowed per game.

Opposing teams have been held under 20 points six times in 10 games, including Navy's zero points on Saturday.

Freshman quarterback Xavier Arline was unable to complete a pass against Army on four attempts. Some of Navy's issues were created by difficult weather conditions, but Army has been bruising its opponents all season.

The offense did just enough to get out with a win. Tyler put the game away early in the fourth quarter with a four-yard touchdown run.

Saturday was another indication that Monken and his staff have done a fantastic job of building the program over the past seven years.

     

Bad Weather Emphasizes Navy's Offensive Struggles

One of the biggest reasons Navy has struggled this season is because the offense can't sustain drives or put points on the board.

The Midshipmen entered Saturday ranked 131st in scoring offense (18.4 points per game). They scored a total of 13 points in their previous two games against Tulsa and Memphis, and scored seven or fewer points four times in their first nine games.

Arline took over the starting quarterback role prior to last week's game against Tulsa. He was unable to provide a spark in that 19-6 loss with 87 yards of total offense.

The weather didn't help matters for Arline or the Navy offense against Army. Foggy conditions made it difficult to see the field for either team, but the Midshipmen seemed especially undone by it. They had five consecutive drives end in a punt to start the game, including four straight three-and-out possessions in the first half.

Navy's best chance to score came at the start of the second half. Arline broke off a 52-yard run to set the offense up with a 1st-and-goal at Army's 2-yard line. The drive ended without any scoring when the Army defense stopped fullback Nelson Smith on 4th-and-goal from the 1.

When Navy has been at its best under Niumatalolo, the offense has always been able to run the ball. They led the nation with 360.5 yards per game on the ground in 2019. That number has fallen to 185.3 yards this season.

Army's defense held the Midshipmen to 108 rushing yards. Their passing offense was nonexistent with only nine yards on nine attempts.

Even on a day when neither offense was able to get much going, Navy's inability to create yards for itself wound up making the difference.

                       

What's Next?

The 2020 season has come to an end for Navy. Army has one more game remaining in the regular season against Air Force on Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. ET.

Gary Steele, 1st Black Army Football Player, Invited to 2020 Army-Navy Game

Dec 11, 2020
An Army cadet signals his classmates on the field ahead of an NCAA college football game between the Army and the Navy, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
An Army cadet signals his classmates on the field ahead of an NCAA college football game between the Army and the Navy, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Retired U.S. Army Colonel Gary Steele, who became Army's first Black varsity football player in 1966, has been invited to attend the Army-Navy game, per ESPN.com. 

Fans are barred from attending the game in West Point, New York because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Army athletic director Mike Buddie has made an exception for Steele, though he won't be able to attend.

"It's still hard for all of us to believe that it took until 1966 for the color barrier [on the football team] to be broken at West Point," ESPN anchor Sage Steele, who is Gary Steele's daughter, said.

"He was the first Black varsity player there, and it's amazing because if you look at the team photo from back then, it's pretty easy to spot him. In a sea of his white teammates, he's right there in the middle."

Unfortunately, the 74-year-old Steele won't be at the game, as he is undergoing treatment for cancer in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he lives.

"He was going to get in his car and drive up to see history at West Point, but my mother had to say, 'Gary, with everything going on, you cannot,'" Sage Steele said.

The ex-tight end caught 66 passes for 1,111 yards and seven touchdowns from 1966-1968. He led the team in receiving in 1968 with a career-high 496 yards and also earned second-team Newspaper Enterprise Association All-America honors. Steele notably snagged eight catches for 156 yards in a 28-24 loss at No. 4 Penn State.

"It's never been about that [being the first Black varsity football player]," Sage Steele said regarding her father. "He just wanted to go and play football and be a great teammate and prepare himself to serve his country. He just happened to be very good at it.

"He's said this a million times and I'll continue to say it, 'Somebody had to be the first. It just happened to be me.' He's very proud. As he has gotten older, he has realized the importance of it." 

Army went 23-7 during Steele's era, beating Navy two of three times. The lone loss was a 19-14 defeat in 1967, but Steele scored one of Army's two touchdowns on a 52-yard catch.

Steele, who also excelled in track and field, is a member of Army's Sports Hall of Fame. 

Army and Navy will kick off at 3 p.m. ET on CBS.

West Point Clears Cadets of Making White Supremacist Gesture at Army-Navy Game

Dec 20, 2019
Navy midshipmen march before an NCAA college football game against Army, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Navy midshipmen march before an NCAA college football game against Army, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

An investigation conducted by West Point officials has reportedly determined three cadets were involved in a "misplaced joke" rather than a display of white supremacy during ESPN's College GameDay broadcast for the Army-Navy game on Dec. 14.

The cadets could be seen flashing the "OK" hand symbol on multiple occasions during the broadcast:

The report concluded the gesture was not made in a racist manner, per TMZ Sports:

"The evidence strongly supports a finding that [the cadets] made 'OK' hand gestures during the ESPN broadcast of GameDay because they were playing the 'circle game' or 'gotcha game.' There is no evidence that [the cadets] hold any racist of white supremacist views or attempted to communicate such messages by using the 'OK' hand gesture on national television."

The three cadets who were involved were questioned during the investigation and denied any malicious intent, saying they were only looking "garner attention from a national audience as well as surrounding cadets" as part of the game.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, the hand gesture became associated with white supremacists around the year 2017. The gesture can be viewed as a hate symbol, as a "W" and "P" (which stands for "White Power") are created by the person's fingers.

This is not the first time a fan making the gesture on television has led to an investigation.

In May, a Chicago Cubs fan was banned from Wrigley Field after he made the gesture during a live broadcast behind NBC Sports Chicago reporter Doug Glanville.

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