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By: John Gonzalez
It is a special time of year for so many student-athletes in our region. Are you ready for some high school football?
John Gonzalez is a reporter at ABC7/WJLA-TV and WJLA 24/7. A native Washingtonian and 4-time Emmy award winner, John covers a wide range of topics including general assignment news, government and politics, and health and wellness, with a particular focus on climate change and environmental issues. He has been featured in various outlets such as MLive, The Ringer, and Sports Illustrated, showcasing his versatile storytelling skills and commitment to impactful journalism.
Live Navy quarterback Xavier Arline runs through a hole in the Army defense during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Gillette Stadium Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) LANDOVER, Md. (7News) — It is a long-standing tradition of building relationships between the Army and Navy, but make no mistake about it, this is quite a rivalry on the field of friendly strife. This traditional game is on Saturday afternoon, and it is a game that is not only watched nationwide but the world always tunes in to watch these two-story academies. Army has won the last two matchups and six of the last eight years including the first-ever overtime game two years ago. The Navy won 14 straight games over the Army from 2002-2015. Kicking off the festivities this week was the first-ever football camp for local kids and caretakers from military and veteran families. Robert Griffin III (RGIII), who grew up in a military family with both parents served as sergeants in the US Army. This week he has returned to his roots in D.C. for USAA's Heroes Huddle at the Army-Navy Game, to coach, interact, and inspire the kids and caregivers through their shared love of football and the military. 7News caught up with RGIII. “I'm a military brat, both mom and dad served 34 years, and the one thing I always said when I went pro is that I'm never gonna forget about the military, never going to forget where I came from. To be able to partner with them for the 125th Army-Navy Game, everyone knows it's America's game, but I think it's really a massive thank you to all of our military members, to all our military caregivers,” Griffin said. So who should win this year? Army is the favorite with a record of 11-1 and AAC Champions. But don't sleep on the Midshipmen, the Navy is the third-best team in the conference at 8-3. And of course, this is practically a home game for the Navy, only about an hour's drive to the stadium. RGIII will be participating in yet another event Friday morning on the National Mall. Ahead of the annual rivalry game, he and another Commanders Legend, Joe Theismann are working with USAA to Gift Vehicles to Deserving Army and Navy Families. Even the Washington Nationals are getting in on the football game celebration. In Southeast D.C., the Nats hosted more than a hundred soldiers and sailors for a special high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout. “We went through eight different stations, some really tough exercises. Army soldiers and Navy sailors side by side getting some good exercise,” said U.S. Navy Rear Admiral David J. Faehnle. A chance to take home bragging rights before the big game Saturday. “First of all, it's incredible that the Nationals do this for the service members here in the National Capital Region. The second piece is really incredible. The Wheel of Death push-up competition, I don't know that it's necessarily my favorite but it is a favorite of everyone I think if everybody that participates, just to see the grit and determination of people in that competition,” added U.S. Army Major General Trevor J. Bredenkamp. This will be the first time this game has been in D.C. since 2011.">
