Patriot Games, Pep Rally Kick Off Army-Navy Weekend In Philadelphia
By Mike Dougherty, Walt Hunter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Army and Navy take the field Saturday for the big game at Lincoln Financial Field, but the competition between the two military institutions started Friday with the Patriot Games.
The first of five events was the Rocky Relay, a combination of push ups, jump rope and a run up the Art Museum Steps.
Navy came from behind to claim a victory.
"Oh it's awesome! I feel great! It's a perfect start to Army-Navy."
Navy Lieutenant Alex Turner says they've been training hard to top their West Point rivals.
"It's engrained into us from the very day you check on board induction day. It's always 'Go Navy,' it's always 'Beat Army.' It's like in our blood. It's what we live for."
In the shadow of the Battleship New Jersey, where so many served and sacrificed, America's newest generation of warriors showed their strength: the "Tug of War" between Army and Navy one of five competitions known as "Patriot Games", stoking excitement throughout the day, leading up to the big game Saturday afternoon.
The Court at One Liberty at noon looked a bit like Lincoln Financial Field as cadets and midshipmen strained to win a pull-up contest.
Outside Independence Mall, rival teams plodded blindfolded through a maze. Then, after piecing together a puzzle with 75 pound blocks, they donned sweatshirts with letters, turning into human scrabble pieces to create words.
Many of the young men and women from the two service academies echoed the thought that, regardless who won, they were honored to compete in celebration of the country they vowed to protect.
The events not only inspired those who watched, they also brought an economic boost to the region, 50,000 visitors expected to pump $35 million into the local economy.
The obstacle course is the last event, just before kickoff tomorrow. The overall winners will be given a trophy at halftime.
