Honor and character

In Alabama, football is something of a religion. There are great traditions at both major universities. Personally, I root for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Of course, we had Bear Bryant at the University for all those years, bringing home national and conference titles. It's a grand football tradition. However, as storied as Alabama football may be, it suffers from many of the ills plaguing big-time NCAA. In recent years, Alabama has been placed under NCAA sanctions, has lost scholarships and bowl privileges. They have had problems this season with players engaging in less than ethical, and bordering on illegal, conduct. Coach Nick Saban has been faced with a group of young thugs on his team. But this situation is endemic as Division I schools find themselves the farm teams for the NFL. And the character doesn't get much better in the NFL, either. Just read the headlines about player conduct.



But the news is not all grim where college football is concerned. Although I didn't attend a service academy, I usually manage to catch some of the Army-Navy game every year. Daddy was in the Army and always pulled for the Cadets. I like to see Army win, but it's such a joy to see those young men play the game. You don't see calls for unsportsmanlike conduct or hear trash-talking against the other team. People don't get service academy appointments for being good players. They get the appointments for having sterling character. And it shows in every game.



Army, unfortunately, received a sound thrashing from the Midshipmen. However, there were no fights after the game, either on the field or in the stands. Players from both teams congratulated each other like gentlemen. The Navy MVP didn't toot his own horn, even though he ran a kickoff back for 98 yards for a touchdown. He talked about the help he got from his teammates, and how hard Army played.



At the end of the Army-Navy game, the bands play each team's alma mater. As each team's alma mater played, both teams stood at attention, as did the spectators. The heartwarming highlight ws when MVP Reggie Campell stood on the drum major's stand and conducted the Navy band in their alma mater.



Annapolis and West Point are not farm teams for the NFL. As one of the announcers said, there were no signing bonuses to be considered, no endorsements, no big contracts. These young men were playing for the honor of their respective academies. And every one of them who graduates will be commissioned as an officer in the armed forces -- during wartime. Some may go on to the pros after their service commitment, but these days, that's not likely. More likely, these young men will go on to success in their chosen careers, military or civilian.



As I watched the teams stand at attention for their alma maters, congratulate their opponents and be gracious in victory and in loss, I felt tremendous pride for those players, who will be defending their country in just a short while. They are choosing to commit four years to the service of their country, in war and peace.



I also felt disgust. I was seriously annoyed that my football team, the Alabama Crimson Tide, cannot muster the quality of character as seen at these service academies. Not that there aren't players with character at Alabama. But there does seem to be a preponderance of little hoodlums in the lineup.



It would be nice if Nick Saban got the support from the university and the alumni association, and could bench the thugs, he might have more success as far as discipline goes. But he might not win so many football games, and that's just not an option.


When Alabama and other Division I schools start taking some lessons from our service academies, NCAA football will regain some of its polish and prestige. Right now, all the honor is on Army and Navy.