“Damn the torpedoes!” The Navy will face-off against its rival, the Army, on December 12 for a friendly football match, where bragging rights are greater than any Super Bowl ring could be.
Baselayer. Photos courtesy Under Armour
Equipping themselves with crisp and ultra-sharp new uniforms and hand-painted helmets, the Navy will pay homage to seven of the most historic ships that made up the US Navy Fleet. Each ship is detailed on one of seven hand-painted helmets that each player will wear, assigned according to position.
The rally cry “damn the torpedoes!” takes its place on the Navy uniforms, as a tributary nod to Admiral Farragut’s historic Naval victory at the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864.
The new uniform font replicates the design and font used on Navy ships, while battleship gray color highlights the cleats, baselayer sleeves and jersey shoulders. Also on the baselayer is the overhead sketch of the seven Naval ships featured on the helmets. Eagle, Globe and Anchor Marine logos are round out the insignia on the uniform pant
Helmet details with position assignment.
- The linebacker will wear the Cruiser ship — providing anti-air defense and packs the biggest punch of Naval surface ships representative of the linebackers on the Navy football team;
- The defensive back wears the Destroyer – known for significant fire power, speed and anti-missile defense;
- Wide receiver rock the Submarine – a ship predominantly utilized as blockers, since wide receivers play a key role in driving the Navy rush attack, taking on a stealth-like persona as they blend into the rhythm of the offense but bring significant fire power when called upon, just like a Naval submarine;
Navy Fleet Submarine
- Lineman will be the Amphibious Assault Ships — just as a lineman’s job is the create a hole for a running back or linebacker, these ships are utilized to establish the “beach head” that enables the invading force to gain access and ultimately accomplish their objective;
- Quarterback is the Aircraft Carrier — the QB of the Naval Fleet. This the aircraft carrier is the ultimate decision maker; the “quick strike” weapon of the Naval fleet;
- Running Back will wear the Littoral Combat Ship – like running backs, these fast and nimble ships can navigate through both crowded shallow and deep waters;
- And the kicker/special teams are the punchy Minesweeper — much like the specific task of the Navy special teams, this small ship has a unique mission of identifying and eliminating mines.
