Last week the NCAA had all college football teams shake hands before the game. I had to privilege to watch this live while attending a game- and many times on TV over the holiday weekend. Each team stood holding hands along their side line - shoulder to shoulder in a line that almost stretched the entire length of the field. The teams then walked forward and shook hands and embraced the players from the other team. I hear they are only scheduled to do this before the opening game of the season. I am sorry to hear that. They should do it before every game.

College football is exciting, competitive, unpredictable and a lot of fun for its fans to watch. But when you watch a team like Navy or Army play, you can’t help but swell with pride for who these young men are and who they will become. And I know I am not the only one who feels this way.

Last Saturday, I watched the end of the Navy vs. Ohio State game from the Notre Dame Monogram room on Notre Dame’s campus in South Bend. Our family cheers for Navy because we live in Annapolis, MD. But I was touched to see so many Notre Dame fans cheering for Navy as well. Genuine cheers. They weren’t cheering against Ohio State by any means - they were just rooting for Navy and for the young men playing for the Academy. Most Midshipmen do not go to Navy to play football; they go to Navy to become officers in the military - and they just happen to play football along the way. The don’t have career goals of the NFL; they have career goals of service to our country.

I was very proud last week watching football: pride in the young players who shook hands in good sportsmanship; proud of the players who, at such a young age, feel the national pressure of being watched by millions, proud of our military who serve selflessly, and proud of the fans who can see beyond the value of a win or a ranking. Sport is about good sportsmanship, about commitment, about being part of a team and relying on - and helping - your teammates. It teaches you the values that will serve you well in the future. Looking at it that way, perhaps football is great training for our future military officers.