Army and Navy Secretaries Trade Barbs Ahead of Saturday’s Rivalry Game

With kickoff just around the corner, the historic Army-Navy Game is once again stirring patriotic passion, good-natured smack talk, and age-old rivalry. And this year, the tension isn’t just on the field it’s lighting up Capitol Hill and social media.

Set to take place on Saturday, December 13, at 3:00 p.m. ET in Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium, the 126th meeting between Army’s Black Knights and Navy’s Midshipmen carries more than just bragging rights. It’s about tradition, service, and pride and in 2025, the fire is burning hotter than ever.

Despite Army coming into the game with a modest 6-5 season record against Navy’s 9-2, that didn’t stop Army Secretary Dan Driscoll from throwing the first jab on X (formerly Twitter) “@SECNAV, hope you brought your life vest! The Black Knights are about to sink @NavyFB on Saturday... and @USNavy is on the menu.”

Not to be outdone, Navy Secretary John Phelan clapped back with a shot of his own “I brought you tissues, a pacifier and diapers... not for your kids, for yourself! GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY!”

Then came another “Let me know if you need my corpsman’s information. Always happy to help the Army patch up after Saturday.”

This banter is more than locker-room talk it’s a tradition as old as the game itself, which dates back to 1890. With President Donald Trump confirming his attendance, the event gains even more weight. Trump’s presence not only underscores the significance of the game but reminds Americans that this is more than college football it’s a celebration of service and national pride.

Both teams will sport special uniforms paying tribute to 250 years of service. The Army’s look draws from the roots of the Revolutionary War, honoring the legacy that began in the fight for liberty. Their motto “This We’ll Defend” is woven into every thread. Navy, not to be outdone, unveiled their own tribute five days later, continuing the tradition of battlefield-inspired uniforms.

Even the U.S. Senate got in on the rivalry, with Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) placing a friendly bet with fellow senators:

• If Navy wins: McCormick and Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) will wear Navy gear

• If Army wins: Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) must wear Army gear

The Secret Service joined in, too, posting a spirited video featuring agents who graduated from each academy.

As far as rivalries go, this is the one that transcends sports with national pride, military honor, and American tradition front and center. And while only one side will win, every player on that field has already answered a higher call than most college athletes ever will.

So whether you yell “Go Army, Beat Navy!” or “Go Navy, Beat Army!”, one thing’s certain: this is America’s Game, and it’s not to be missed.

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