Gronk Unveiled Army's Uniforms For The Army-Navy Game And Nearly Drowned On The Same Day - BONUS I Will Make You Cry
Every year now since 2016, Army and navy have an alternate uniform for the greatest rivalry in all of sports. For a peak behind the curtain, every year I try to figure out a new way to talk about them and when you have done it for 10 uniforms it can become a bit tricky. Luckily for me this year, Gronk took care of it.
First things first, Gronk could easily suit up in December and have a career day. A genuine freak of a human and I mean that in the nicest way possible.
The dude even looks like he is still 22 for God's sake.
We are deep into the alternate uniform game and I am blown away that Nike still finds a way to do something new. This year the Army team is honoring the 4th Infantry Division.
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Flat out, these uniforms are different than anything Army has ever done for this game. Again, when you are 11 years deep into doing an alternate uniform, it is no small feat to turn heads year after year. I am obviously biased. (Sidenote - here is how I know I have been around these parts for many years now. I just assume that I have beaten it to death that I played football at Army. However, when you don't get the tag from the main account, you start to wonder how old everyone is that is running social.)
I will admit, when I first saw a picture of these uniforms, I didn't know what to think. Then as I took them in more I realized that I enjoy them as much as any other year except for the year we did the 10th Mountain Division all white uniforms in the snow because that is the greatest uniform/weather combo in the history of college football. They are unique and the neon green pops. Some old timers might hate the neon, but we can't cater to the old guard at every turn. If we did, sports writers would still be determining the national champion.
By the way, if you don't think this football is cool then I have to conclude that you hate cool things.
These uniforms will no doubt look amazing in person and on TV come December 12th. Beat navy!
The other thing that looked amazing all weekend was my beloved Alma Mater, West Point. Our friends at Fox were there all week to showcase what goes on for the Cadets in school to include survival swimming. We nearly lost Gronk.
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The funniest part that is lost on nearly all Americans about this video is that this is not something Cadets do one time or on the weekends. No, this is just another class we have to take and let me tell you, getting in a pool in a uniform in the middle of the day is as big of a pain as you might think.
Shout to my boys Jimmy Hammersticks and Kell Walker, a couple of all-time Army greats. By the way, not to brag but I was able to test out of taking this class for a full semester. I was allowed to knock it out in the matter of 5 days after Christmas break my plebe year nbd.
As for the rest of the weekend, West Point demonstrated why it is one of the best college football venues in the country. I have been all over and seen marquee stadiums - LSU, Wisconsin, Michigan, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, Penn State - and I would put the atmosphere at Army right there with any of them.
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Oh yea, I said I was going to make you cry didn't I?
Ok well I dare you to watch this segment on my dear friend and brother, Chad Jenkins, and not cry.
I had no idea that Brady Quinn had that connection to Chad and I must say, it was moving to hear him reflect on that following the segment.
It is funny how people come into your life. So often, you have no idea that a person will eventually have a profound impact on you. I had watched him win the Army Navy game the year before and then met him on my official visit to Army. From the jump, he had an infectious personality that great leaders tend to possess. Fast forward to Beast Barracks the following summer when I had Second Lieutenant Jenkins breathing down my neck as a graduate assistant for the football team.
During my plebe year, I was with him every day in the film room, practice, and game days. He was the first guy to introduce me to Copenhagen snuff when I had only been a Skoal man to date. I certainly respected him but it wasn't until after he left and began serving in the big Army that I fully appreciated what he possessed that made him a leader I wanted to emulate. Over the years, through tailgates, golf rounds, Army service, and countless other shared moments and conversations, we grew from two guys who wore the same uniform into brothers bound together by Army football. Weirdly enough, we both married into Penn State families too. I am lucky and proud to know Chad. Now you are too that you know a slice of his story. Go read this book and you'll fully understand.