New England Patriots Bill Belichick 'Looking Forward' to Army-Navy Game at Gillette Stadium

For the first time since his collegiate days, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick will have the chance to attend the annual Army-Navy football game -- which just happens to be taking place at Gillette Stadium this year.

FOXBORO - One of the most storied rivalries of college football will continue on Saturday when Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, hosts the annual Army-Navy Game. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET. 

With the Patriots still savoring their 21-18 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night, Patriots coach Bill Belichick will have a fortunate break in his schedule to enjoy one of the most storied athletic contests in the country's history. 

"It's nice that the schedule fell the way it did," Belichick told reporters via videoconference on Friday morning. "The fact that it did and coincided with the game being in Foxboro is nice. I haven't been able to attend an Army-Navy game like this since I was in college ...I'm very much looking forward to it. I think it will be a great classic event for this region. There’s really nothing like Army-Navy. I've been in a lot of big games. I've seen a lot of big games. Both collegiately and professionally. But, Army-Navy is special."

For Belichick, the game between Army and Navy has deep significance. Belichick has had close ties to the Naval academy, as well as the surrounding areas— having grown up in close proximity to the school’s campus in Annapolis, Maryland. His father, Steve, was an assistant coach and scout at the Naval Academy for over 30 years, retiring in 1989.

A tradition since 1890, the game will mark the 124th meeting between Army and Navy. The Midshipmen lead the series, 62-54-7. New England was awarded hosting rights after the winning bid was submitted by a group led by Patriots team owner and Chairman Robert Kraft. It will be the first meeting between the two service academies in the New England area, which has previously been hosted by 18 different stadiums in six states.

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick chats with Navy Football head coach Brian Newberry during practice on the Gillette Stadium practice fields / Cred: Navy Football on X (@NavyFB)

With the game taking place on the Patriots home field, Belichick will not only be a spectator, but also an active participant in the day's events. The 71-year-old observed Navy's practice on Friday. In addition to attending Saturday's game, he also served as guest picker for ESPN's College GameDay pregame show — enthusiastically  declaring “Go Navy, Beat Army” as he donned his own, personal Navy helmet. 

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The Patriots also have roster ties to the Naval Academy besides Belichick. Long snapper Joe Cardona spent his collegiate career at Navy. The Pats currently do not have anyone on the roster who played with Army. Though the "HC of the NEP" is unabashed in his support for the Naval Academy, he expressed his genuine admiration for the young cadets of each of the nation's service academies for reasons which stretch far beyond the gridiron. 

"When you take the oath to go to the Naval Academy or go to West Point, you voluntarily agree and sign up to defend our country at all costs, including your life," Belichick said. "That's a voluntary decision and a very important one. So, ultimately, these are the men and women that are going to lead our country in the coming years and decades.

"You're not thinking about your future as an NFL player ... you're thinking about your career as a military officer and fighting and defending our country," he added. "Football is part of it, but there's a bigger part of it for them. Football is a game, but they'll lay it all on the line. As they should and as they will in future years of combat and engagement. So, I think that's what you're seeing, and the intensity of the game and how much it means to both academies. It's a lot. It's really a lot. It's a game that will be followed around the world."

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