2007 Navy vs. Rutgers

GreatAmerican
Sat, 22 Sep 2007 11:12:39 +0000

By
Bill Wagner
Annapolis Capital Navy Blog

Most members of the media were taken aback by the controversy that arose this past week involving the poor behavior of some Rutgers University fans. According to Mark Di Ionna of the Newark-Star Ledger, a contingent of Rutgers students sitting in the new bleacher section at Rutgers Stadium, booed Navy when it took the field then directed chants such as “You Suck!” toward the team. At one point, the students began chanting “F*** You Navy” over and over.

Working in a glass-enclosed press box, none of the Navy reporters on hand heard any of the offending booing, cursing or chanting. In fact, many of us left the stadium that night impressed with the class displayed by a large contingent of Rutgers fans, who gave the Navy team a standing ovation as it departed the field following the game.

A group of about two hundred fans gathered around the tunnel and clapped heartily as the Navy players filed off the field and yelled such encouraging words as “Beat Notre Dame” or “Thank you for your service.” One can only presume those fans were older, working folks who appreciate what members of the military do for the United States and understand that members of the Navy football team will soon be defending this great country of ours.