Army-Navy Game inspires leadership beyond the field
This weekend, Northwest Stadium in Landover will play host to one of the most storied rivalries in sports: the annual Army vs. Navy football game. To most, it’s an extraordinary clash on the gridiron found on any given Saturday. To us, as two coaches with decades of experience on and off the field, it’s much more. The game isn’t just about strategy, athleticism or glory — it’s a living lesson in leadership, resilience and mutual respect. It is a celebration of service and sacrifice and a reminder of the critical role these future leaders play in safeguarding our nation’s security and values.
It also serves as inspiration and a lesson in leadership for those individuals not in uniform — our elected officials, corporate leaders, students, our communities and our families. Throughout our careers coaching elite athletes, we’ve come to recognize that leadership and character development are not just skills for the field. They are lifelong pursuits that touch every profession and walk of life.
The values that underpin the Army-Navy rivalry are the same that define the nation’s best of the best — our Medal of Honor recipients. These individuals exemplify timeless principles for not only those in service but also our broader society: courage, sacrifice, integrity and commitment. Many of these remarkable honorees traveled from around the country to join us in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the game for a panel discussion, “Worthy Rivals: Leadership Beyond the Field” to reflect on how these values can guide transformative leadership in every arena.
The idea of a “worthy rival” stands out to us as coaches and is a powerful metaphor in today’s polarized world. Rivalries are often seen as conflicts to be won, but true leadership is not about defeating an opponent. It’s about mutual respect, shared goals and rising together. Success isn’t measured solely by wins and losses but by the strength of the character forged along the way.
The same spirit that defines the Army-Navy rivalry fuels the mission of the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership, an organization that is deeply meaningful to us. Dedicated to shaping the leaders of tomorrow, the center is rooted in the values exemplified by Medal of Honor recipients. Plans are underway to build an impressive 50,000-square-foot facility at Patriot’s Point in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, which will serve as a national hub for leadership and character development. Through a combination of onsite, remote and virtual programming, the center is working to inspire everyday people to rise to their moment, no matter where they find themselves in life.
Like us, the center believes in the power of leadership to inspire and transform. They know, as we do, that the lessons of the Army-Navy rivalry — mutual respect, shared commitment and the pursuit of excellence — are the foundations of a brighter future.
At a time when faith in our institutions has precipitously dropped, Americans are craving leadership and values that are commonplace in military service. So, as we cheer for the Black Knights or Midshipmen on game day, let’s remember what they truly represent. They are a testament to the power of shared values, the importance of teamwork and the potential of inspired leadership to unite and uplift. Whether on the battlefield, the football field, the halls of Congress, the boardroom or in our communities, these are the qualities that create leaders who make a difference. May we all rise to this challenge and embrace the lessons of the Army-Navy rivalry and Medal of Honor recipients to cultivate leaders worthy of our shared future.
Bill Belichick is a football analyst, former head coach for the New England Patriots, and eight-time Super Bowl champion. Tom O’Brien was a starting defensive end in the Army-Navy game for three years, is the former head coach for Boston College and North Carolina State University, and is a board member with the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership.
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