When Army and Navy meet Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, the Midshipmen will be sporting some spiffy new uniforms, featuring insignia embodying its fighting spirit — the “Don’t Tread On Me” jack, according to The Brigade
The jack made its first appearance on the ships of the Continental Navy at the start of the Revolutionary War. It consists of 13 horizontal red and white stripes overlaid with an uncoiled rattlesnake and the words, “Don’t Tread On Me.”
Although the design of the Navy’s jack — flown from the bow of its warships — has changed over the years, the Navy returned to its roots following 9/11. At the suggestion of retired Captain Brayton Harris, American ships of war again display the original “Don’t Tread On Me” design.
And on Saturday, so will the Midshipmen.
The rivalry between the United States Military Academy’s Black Knights and the United States Naval Academy’s Midshipmen dates back to 1890, when the two teams met at “The Plain” in West Point, N.Y. Although Army had the home field advantage, Navy shut them out, 24 to zero.
The teams have met a total of 114 times, which resulted in 58 Navy wins, 49 Army wins and 7 tied games. Navy has won 12 of the last 12 games. You can watch their 115th meeting Saturday at 3 p.m. Eastern on CBS.
All there following images are via The Brigade.
