America’s service men and women already have a bowl game named in their honor: the Armed Forces Bowl. Since there are roughly 7,658 college football bowl games, why not add another? It was only a matter of time before a defense contractor stepped in to sponsor the bowl game played in Washington, D.C. at RFK Stadium. With all the defense dollars floating around this town, it only made sense.
Northrop Grumman will partner with the USO to host the former Eagle Bank Bowl game, which has been renamed the Military Bowl. Those who make a donation to the USO can receive tickets to the game, which will be played on Dec. 29. Northrop Grumman’s CEO also told the Washington Post his company would donate a “substantial amount” of money to the USO after the game.
Unfortunately, this year is not set to have any of the service academies play in the inaugural Military Bowl. The teams will come from the ACC and Conference USA. Next year, though, Navy will play against an ACC team if the Midshipmen qualify for a bowl game. In 2012, if Army qualifies, the Black Knights will play an ACC team. A few years ago plenty would scoff at the idea of Army winning six games, but they are proving this season that bowl games are in their future.
