Army - Navy Game: Special uniforms revealed paying to tribute to NASA, Old Ironsides

There are numerous amazing traditions that go along with the Army–Navy Game. One of the newer traditions that both teams have embraced for the game is wearing an alternate uniform for it. Every year, those uniforms pay tribute to their respective branch of the military in some way. For instance, Navy has worn Blue Angel alternate uniforms.

This season, Army is honoring Old Ironsides. West Point made the announcement on the football team’s Twitter account.

Inspired by the 1st Armored Division, we will honor their fighting spirit and will to win. #GoArmy | #IronSoldiers pic.twitter.com/v9i4TWD8gK

— Army Football (@ArmyWP_Football) November 28, 2022

These uniforms honor the 1st Armored Division, which served in North Africa during World War II. This comes at the 80th anniversary of Operation Torch and the beginning of ground operations in the European Theater.

According to the Army press release, features on the Army uniforms that pay homage to Old Ironsides are a World War II era flag with 48 stars, a campaign stream, mud splatter, a unit patch, 1st Armored pants insignia, and font inspired by M3 tanks. The uniforms will also feature each cadet’s company number and mascot on their uniform, which will allow those in their company around the world to track them during the game.

As for Navy, the Midshipmen will honor the space program. With 54 Naval Academy graduates going on to become astronauts, the most of any institution, Navy wanted to honor its long history working with NASA. That history goes all the way back to Alan Shepard, who graduated from the Naval Academy and became the first American in space.

Navy announced the uniforms on its own Twitter account.

One small step for man…One giant leap for Navy Football.#GoNavy | #RollGoats | @NASA pic.twitter.com/JCywlEcjiA

— Navy Football (@NavyFB) November 21, 2022

You can take a closer look at the Navy uniforms, here.

“The Naval Academy Athletic Association and Under Armour partnered with NASA to use the official ‘meatball’ logo to accurately recreate the spacewalk suit,” Navy stated in its press release.

“The white uniform with red stripes and the American flag mimic markings on the NASA spacewalk suit. The Helvetica font was used for the numbers and wordmark.  This typeface has been used by NASA extensively for decades, from the space shuttle to signage and printouts. It is one of the most ubiquitous typefaces in the world. The gloves are white and red with the astronaut pin on the palms.”

The Army-Navy Game is on Saturday, December 10th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.