President Donald Trump attended the historic football rivalry between the United States Military Academy (USMA) and the United States Naval Academy (USNA) on Saturday, the teams’ 119th head-to-head.
Trump is only the 10th sitting President to attend the Army-Navy NCAA college football game, according to ABC News.
He also presided over the pre-game coin toss, and swapped seating at halftime, as tradition holds.
President Donald Trump renders a salute during the 119th Army-Navy Game in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 8, 2018. The Army defeated the Navy for their third year in a row. (Spc. Dana Clarke/U.S. Army)
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis was also in attendance, joining Trump for the coin toss and the National Anthem.
President Donald Trump waves to the crowd during the 119th Army-Navy Game in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 8, 2018. The Army defeated the Navy for their third year in a row. (Spc. Dana Clarke/U.S. Army)
Prior to the coin toss, a moment of silence was held to honor the late former President George H.W. Bush.
President Donald J. Trump walks as part of the Army side onto the field for the coin toss before the 2018 Army Navy Game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dec. 8, 2018. The U.S. Military Academy cadets from West Point won 17-10. (U.S. Army Sgt. James K. McCann/Department of Defense)
Army won the game and the “Commander in Chief” trophy for the third year in a row after a final score of 17-10.
Their last winning streak took place from 1992 to 1996.
Secretary of Defense James Mattis signs Cpt. Zachary Polega’s American flag during the 119th Army-Navy Game in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 8, 2018. The Army defeated the Navy for their third year in a row. (Spc. Dana Clarke/U.S. Army)
Trump attended the game as President-elect in 2016.
“I just love the armed forces,” Trump said at the time. “I mean, I don’t know if it’s necessarily the best football, but it’s very good. But, boy, do they have a spirit. More than anybody. It’s beautiful.”
President Donald J. Trump watches a helicopter flyover during pre-game ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, at the Army-Navy NCAA College football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Joyce N. Boghosian/White House)
Several other members of the Trump Administration and Congress were also in attendance at Saturday’s game.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford and his forthcoming replacement, Gen. Mark Milley, were also at the game.
Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks with Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chief of staff of the Army, during the 2018 Army Navy Game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dec. 8, 2018. The U.S. Military Academy cadets from West Point won 17-10. (U.S. Army Sgt. James K. McCann/Department of Defense)
Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Dan Dailey were also spotted speaking with Mattis at the game.
Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis speaks to Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper, Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Dan Dailey during the 2018 Army Navy Game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dec. 8, 2018. The U.S. Military Academy cadets from West Point won 17-10. (U.S. Army Sgt. James K. McCann/Department of Defense)
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke were said to be in attendance, as well, along with Republican Senators James Risch and James Lankford.
Former Presidents Roosevelt, Wilson, Coolidge, Kennedy, Ford, Clinton, George W. Bush and Obama were the nine other sitting presidents to attend the game.
No President attended the historic game for two lengthy periods, from 1924 to 1945 and 1963 to 1995.
Army AH-64 Apache Attack helicopters fly over Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis before the 2018 Army Navy Game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dec. 8, 2018. The U.S. Military Academy cadets from West Point won 17-10. (U.S. Army Sgt. James K. McCann/Department of Defense)
Saturday’s game was the 119th match-up between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen.
The Army gifted a “45” jersey to President Trump before the game.
President Donald J. Trump is presented with a number 45 U.S. Army football team jersey Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, at the Army-Navy NCAA College football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Joyce N. Boghosian/White House)
The Army went into the game with a 9-2 season record – its best in 20 years – and second-best rushing offense in the nation with an average of 303 yards, according to the Army.
The Navy held a 3-9 season record and has the third-best rushing offense in the nation with a 288-yard average.
The Navy leads the series overall with a record of 60-52-7 in the now 119 times the two teams have faced off.
The U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen run the ball during the first quarter of the 2018 Army Navy Game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dec. 8, 2018. The U.S. Military Academy cadets from West Point won 17-10. (U.S. Army Sgt. James K. McCann/Department of Defense)
However, Army came out strong during Saturday’s game, garnering an 82-yard touchdown upon its first possession, and putting the control of the game in their grasp until the end, CBS Sports reported.
This was further evident in turnovers – Army had none, while Navy had four.
Army will go on to face the Houston Cougars on Dec. 22, where they will vie for their 11th season win, setting a new all-time win record for the team.
