They play for one reason, and one reason only—for the love of the game. Their work ethic, sportsmanship and dedication to their country are the reasons why the Army, Navy, and Air Force epitomize what everything right is about college football.
There are no rumpled jerseys, no earrings, no flashy jewelry, no long hair, nor beards on their sidelines. There are no touchdown celebrations involving unsportsmanlike conduct. Questioning a coach's decision is a foreign thought; the respect they hold for authority is second-to-none.
They are, arguably, the ultimate football players, and more importantly, the ultimate role models.
James Patrick "JP" Blecksmith (Navy '03) was one of those role models—a role model who never came back after graduating from the Naval Academy.
He was killed November 11, 2004, after deploying to Iraq. His unit was taking part (clearing a building) in Operation Iraqi Freedom II in Fallujah, when he took a bullet to the left shoulder; it eventually lodged in his heart. He was 24 years old when he died.
His athletic and academic accomplishments were impressive. He lettered four years in track, two in soccer, and three in football at the tony Flintridge Preparatory School in La Canada, Ca. JP was first team, all-CIF quarterback as a junior and a senior.
He was named to three national All-American teams as a blue chip athlete. He was also all-CIF track in his sophomore, junior and senior years, and was the Prep League's Most Valuable Athlete in 1999. He was also tenth grade class president, a National Honor Society member and a peer counselor.
JP was the kid you wanted your daughter to marry.
After accepting an appointment with the Naval Academy, Blecksmith played four years on the Navy football team, eventually lettering as a senior wide receiver. While most college football players have aspirations of big money in the NFL, Blecksmith had his life already planned out for him.
He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Marines Corps and commanded the third platoon (India Company) of the Third Battalion, Fifth Regiment of the First Marine Division.
Just a few months after celebrating his 24th birthday, he was killed in action in Iraq.
JP had two missions when he deployed to Iraq; to be the best leader of the platoon he commanded, and to bring back all of his men safely. He succeeded in both missions.
His death was the only one in his platoon. JP paid the ultimate sacrifice, and was awarded the Purple Heart, as well as the Bronze Star, posthumously, in front of his platoon, for his bravery.
Many critics of the service academies point out that they are not as competitive (due to height and weight restrictions) as other FBS schools, and in particular, elite schools. The history that these schools enjoy defies that logic.
The Naval Midshipmen and Army Black Knights share five Heisman Trophy winners. The Air Force, with its triple option attack since 1965, has been one of the nation's top ten rushing teams for nineteen of twenty-one years.
More recently, Navy beat Notre Dame, 46-44 in triple OT, snapping a 43 game losing streak going back to 1963. If you don't think that game was monumental to Navy, you obviously didn't watch the game. It was one of the most defining moments of college football, as it showed grit, determination, and the human desire to never give up.
While many football players look ahead to their potential future in the NFL, the Navy football players know their path is far different. They came to play a game, be their most competitive against a vastly superior talent pool, and hopefully, show some young school-age boys a different view of what sportsmanship, commitment to one's country, unselfishness and sacrifice really mean. The Navy's sidelines aren't filled with dead-pans into the cameras, or "we're number one" shouts.
Instead, their sidelines are filled with empty chairs; chairs with a set of shoulder pads and jersey of each of their fallen comrades.
A poignant and solemn reminder of really how unimportant football is in the scope of things. Perhaps no game signifies the importance of the contributions made by the service academies more than the Army-Navy game played the first Saturday of every December.
The beautiful sight of college football is completely captured in this game. Young cadets in their formal uniforms, with brass buttons shining in the sun, and their clean-cut, scrubbed faces ready for a day filled with fun, and yet, carrying with them the knowledge that their future is uncertain, but embraced, nevertheless.
They are football players who don't possess the five-star athletic ability of some of their rivals, but whose hearts and minds are so driven, that they are a force to be reckoned with in every game.
To quit is not in their language.
To finish strong is their mission.
To face all odds with bravery, and to finish the game with intensity.
To represent the finest America has to offer, with dignity and class. To play the game the way it was meant to be played. Nothing more.
For most seniors, the last game of the year is the most emotional. Almost every player knows it is their last time on a football field. They also know that for some of them, it's the last time they will see some of their teammates' faces.
Many of them will be deployed, and during wartime, some will not come back.
It is at this point, that they realize they have just played their final football game, and it's time to get serious with life.
It's time to say goodbye to their teammates, time to say goodbye to the other players. Each one of them knows, while they fought tooth and nail to beat each other up on the field, eventually, they all will be working together, on one team, to defeat the enemy and to protect the very precious soil that they stand on. And play on.
After the game is finished, the losing team's alma mater is played, while the winning team's players stand side-by-side with the losing side's players, facing the losing side's academy section of the stadium. And the process reverses for the winning team.
Each side—once enemies on the field—comes together as one after the game, and solemnly recognizes that they all have each other's backs for as long as they live. For sure, there are no losers in this battle on the field.
America, however, has certainly lost some of their finest representatives of real men, and the sport of football has lost some of its greatest players. Not due to their athletic prowess, nor their bowl wins or great comeback-wins. No, football has lost some of its greatest players because of what they represent—excellence both on and off the field. Sacrifice.
And all of football is truly graced to have these service academies remind us of what is really important in sport. Army, Navy and Air Force capture the essence of sportsmanship—competition, pride and class. Something both college and professional football players need to never forget, and perhaps, even learn.
The next time you watch one of the service academies play, remember JP Blecksmith's face. Remember this young man with short-cropped blond hair, squeaky-clean good looks and a mega-watt smile that could light up a room.
He wasn't just a football player. He was somebody's son or brother who tried to make you proud of his team and proud of your country.
And, more importantly, he made sure your family was safe while he was watching your back. Yeah, they all have our backs. We thank you for giving us these great games. And we thank you for making us proud to be Americans.
James Patrick Blecksmith, Navy, '0309-26-8011-11-04 Go Navy, beat Army. R.I.P. *special thanks to JP Blecksmith Foundation, at JPBlecksmith.org.
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3 months ago
Great read and great story Lisa. I look up to these players so much, since some of them could have chosen to play football at other schools and maybe have a future that way, but instead chose to serve their countries and give their lives protecting the freedom we enjoy today.
To all the man and women in the academy. Thank you.
from 3 months ago
Gustavo-
That was a nice, heartfelt message! Sometimes we forget about all that they sacrifice. This was a good reminder!
3 months ago
Seriously, all the men and women servicing us to keep this country safe, i applaud you. The least I can do is watch you play football. I love this gamer because it contains more than just muscle, it has heart. And it shows. When Navy beat Notre Dame I was jumping for joy.
from 3 months ago
Reggie-
I cried when they beat Notre Dame. How can anyone not shed a lil tear over that game? And all those empty chairs on the sidelines as a reminder of how many players have fallen? I'm with you Reggie!
3 months ago
Excellent article with a great message. These guys make the ultimate sacrifice and serve our country.
from 3 months ago
Lein-
Amen. They are the ultimate football players, and role models, in my eyes. They play because they love the game, not because they want to impress an NFL scout. And because of them sitting on the fence all night watching out for bad guys, I am safe in my home. They are my heroes!
3 months ago
We await the return of the days like Army in '44 & '45. We look to another day that Navy can play in a national championship game like they did in '63.
from 3 months ago
Baby-
That would be awesome if they could play for the NC. You know, a couple of years ago, I remember AF had a good shot at going undefeated......but it didn't happen. They could have used Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside (Doc and Glen) as their backfield from hell.
3 months ago
Great article as always Lisa! I was at Neyland Stadium in '06 when my Vols took on Air Force. Usually the Vols fans give a nice loud boo to the opposing team, but not Air Force. The Vols thought they had the game in had but as always, the acadamies never give up. UT had to stop a two point conversion to survive. After the game, the Falcons got a standing ovation as they left the field. That is somthing I have never seen at a big time college program to an opposing team.
from 3 months ago
Michael-
That's awesome...what a great story. The Vols fans are among the best. They are loud and noisy, but appreciate good football and fans. It doesn't surprise me they applauded AF. They have always had a classy fan base! :)
3 months ago
Great article. Really great stuff. Just remember; Navy had the triple-option, not Air Force.
from 3 months ago
Jordan-
Thanks for the props. And while Navy runs it, Fisher DeBerry was king of the triple option and ran it for the 23 years he was at Air Force as their coach. I respectfully disagree with your statement.
3 months ago
Now that service academy players can be drafted out of their service obligations by the NFL, could we be on the verge of a resurgence in academy competitiveness? I hope so. I think the guarantee of a military career rivals what any school could offer short of playing on Sundays. I'm not talking about perennial power or anything, but a handful of pro prospects on the roster at a time could go a long way.
from 3 months ago
sven-
very true! and an Army player got drafted this year! Amazing. I hope Army can be more competitive.....maybe it's their turn?
3 months ago
If you ever get the chance to attend a game that any of the service academies is playing in, DO NOT LEAVE EARLY! Watching every player, cheerleader and cadet stand at attendance while their Alma Mater is being played is one of the must see sights in college football. great article
from 3 months ago
Nelson-
They fight tooth and nail, and then stand side-by-side...it's one of sports' greatest spectacles....I agree!
3 months ago
Lisa, this is one of the best articles on college football that I've read in years. I thank you for reminding us what the college game is supposed to be about, playing for the fun and the love of it. I look forward to watching the annual Army-Navy game. I always watch the service academies play other opponents during the season. Air Force, Army and Navy always show class and unfortunately, class has left too many college football stadia around the country.
3 months ago
Wow Sid, thanks, but it's easy to write when you have such inspiring subjects as the service academies.
3 months ago
Out of respect for the fallen and the immense hatred I would draw I will bite my tongue on this one.
None of the contention I have with this article has to do with JP Blecksmith; whom I consider a patriot, hero, and a great American in every sense of the word. I also think you did a great job commermorating his life and the loss our nation suffered in his death. Personally his death makes me more angry than anything else; the idea that kids my age are being made cannon fodder for a useless and illegal war saddens and pains me to no end.
Furthermore your highlighting of the Army vs. Navy game was great because it really represents what sports is about. Even though the football itself isn't great the athletes, those in attendence, and the way they carry themselves on & off the field transcends any great football game.
Operation Iraqi Freedom II? There was no number one. The first one was called the Gulf War, Persian Gulf War, or Desert Storm.
from 3 months ago
Op Iraqi Freedom II was the name of his mission...I guess they have codes for unique missions. I have no problem with someone voicing their displeasure over the war and its tolls. They, our soldiers, fight for that very freedom for which you have used. It's ironic, isn't it? Some say that the war isn't about freedom, but on 9/11, over 3,000 souils lost their freedom. Permanently.
What is so awesome about our military is that they don't choose who they fight. Our government does. They sit on a fence every night and watch your backs while you and your family sleep safely at night. Without ever meeting you, they will give up their lives for you. I am overwhelmed at their sacrifices.
Thanks for stopping by Spenser. I am saddened too.
from 3 months ago
OOO i see.
Ya to some extent your right; but it's the constitution that gives me the right to voice my opinion, not a soldier blowing away someone in pajama pants. Besides my voice has recently been censored on here because Governer Rick Perry (neo-con nutjob) was upset with an article. So something is amuck haha.
"What is so awesome about our military is that they don't choose who they fight. Our government does."
That's why I was saying this is so sad, that our government completely duped us, and our soldiers into an illegal war. I'm not questioning their service or sacrifice, but rather saying they have no buisness being over there. That's why it's up to the government and people to make sure those young kids aren't involved in something they shouldn't be. Because we know that once they are given such order's they're going to fullfill them regardless if they agree.
Please don't use 9/11 as a brand name to validate something that is wrong. Last time I checked those hijackers were Saudi Arabian, not Iraqi. This war certainly isn't about freedom.
3 months ago
In my opinion, this is just a very well written article :)
3 months ago
Thanks Jimson..it was written with a heavy heart.
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