As the Navy Midshipmen and Army Black Knights prepare to do battle on the gridiron, fans are anxiously awaiting not only the game itself but the unique uniforms that accompany it.
This season, Navy football is honoring the iconic “Jolly Rogers” squadron with its Army-Navy Game uniforms. Everything from head to toe on the special “Fear the Bones” uniforms symbolizes a piece of history in the 125th meeting of Army-Navy.
Navy Football Releases ‘Fear the Bones’ Special Uniforms
In the 125th edition of the Army-Navy Game, the Midshipmen are wearing an all-white tribute to the Jolly Rogers. Every part of the uniform represents a part of what the Navy calls the most lethal squadron in all of naval aviation history.
Fear the Bones 🏴☠️#JollyRogers | #GoNavy | #BeatArmy pic.twitter.com/02NnjFiJwN
— Navy Football (@NavyFB) November 20, 2024
The “Skull and Crossbones” symbol of the Jolly Roger first flew with the VF-17, the most lethal Navy fighter squadron of World War II, in Jan. 1943. Since then, the insignia has been used by a few other U.S. Naval Aviation squadrons, including the VFA-103.
Since then, the squadron has been integral in multiple operations and has flown nine different aircraft.
Every detail in the uniform pays tribute to the squadron’s legacy.
The bright white uniforms are accented by the Navy blue and gold colors of the Jolly Rogers aircraft. The sleeves have the Jolly Rogers traditional angled stripe.
At the base of the helmets, an all-caps bumper reading “FEAR THE BONES” is easy to spot while either side of the helmet is marked with V-shaped stripes — chevrons — to point to the nine different aircraft the squadron has flown.
The back of the jerseys, up to the neck and helmet, mimic the tail design of the Jolly Rogers fighters
Even the uniform pants have a tribute, as there’s small text spelling out the names of the six different Jolly Rogers squadrons.
Most of the players will wear special gloves that, when crossed, form the famous Skull and Crossbones emblem.
This is the second time the Midshipmen have honored the Jolly Rogers as an aptly-named Roger Staubach-led Navy team beat Army in Joly Rogers-inspired helmets in 1962.
So when you watch the 125th edition of the Army-Navy Game, enjoy the uniforms and know that every part was done with purpose and precision.
Navy and Army play on Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. ET in Landover, Md.; both teams made a bowl and, once again, the winner will hoist the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.
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