Bill XXXII, Bill XXXIII and Bill XXXIV, three angora goats that serve as the Naval Academy?s team mascot, are safe and back home.
West Point cadets “goat-napped” the three Bills on Nov. 17 but returned them Sunday to their home at the U.S. Naval Academy Dairy Farm in Gambrills.
The Army, instead, had other targets in their sights. Troopers took up positions Thursday outside the World Trade Center in downtown, all designed to build team spirit in advance on Saturday’s big game.
“We?re out here showing support before the Army-Navy game. If Navy wins, the Trade Center?s going to feel it,” joked Spc. David Perez, 22, of the Army?s Alpha battery.
Humvees, Black Hawk helicopters, striker vehicles and several soldiers in fatigues will descend upon the Inner Harbor this weekend in preparation for the Army-Navy game Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium.
“We?re going to try and recruit some people this weekend,” said Spc. George Ramsey, 38, who added that the Humvee he was standing in front of was equipped to launch ammunition seven miles.
“Then we?re going to head back and try and catch some of the game.”
The entire Brigade of Midshipmen and corps of Cadets will be at the 108th Army-Navy game at noon Saturday. Arguably the biggest rivalry in college football, the game will be broadcast worldwide on national television and draws military officers and their families as well as former soldiers, binding generation to generation.
“There are few sporting events that rival the Army-Navy game for history, tradition, intensity and spirit. I look forward to attending this year?s game in Baltimore ? and watching a Black Knight team catch an overconfident lot of sailors by surprise to bring home a victory to West Point,” said Army Col. Kenneth McCreedy, commander of Fort Meade.
The game is unique in that it pits the military teams against each other as rivals one day, but they fight together as allies the next.
“The spirit and intensity of Army-Navy competition in all sports and endeavors, but especially football, provide the drive to make all of us achieve at a higher level. Our future soldiers, sailors and Marines are better for the competition once they receive their commissions and become teammates on the battlefield,” said Vice Adm. Jeffrey Fowler, superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.
The game was played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia last year and hasn?t been in Baltimore City since 2000.
The Navy is favored to win by 14 1/2 points.
But don?t tell Army that.
Staff Writer Jason Flanagan contributed to this report.
