President Donald Trump has officially signed an executive order that involves the annual Army-Navy football game.
Back on Jan. 17, the president of the United States announced his plans to preserve the Army-Navy game's time slot for the second Saturday in December. This was his response to all the chatter about potential expansion for the College Football Playoff.
"The Army-Navy Game is one of our Greatest American Traditions — Unmatched Patriotism, Courage, and Honor. This incredible Tradition is now at risk of being pushed aside by more College Playoff Games, and Big TV Money," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "NOT ANYMORE! Under my Administration, the second Saturday in December belongs to Army-Navy, and ONLY Army-Navy! I will soon sign a Historic Executive Order securing an EXCLUSIVE 4 hour Broadcast window, so this National Event stands above Commercial Postseason Games.
"No other Game of Team can violate this Time Slot!!! On the field, they are rivals, but on the battlefield they are America’s unstoppable Patriots, defending our Country with tremendous Strength and Heart. We must protect the Tradition, and the Players, who protect us. Please let this serve as Notice to ALL Television Networks, Stations, and Outlets. God Bless American, and God Bless our great Army-Navy Game!!!
© Danny Wild-Imagn Images
The White House confirmed on March 20 that Trump has signed an executive order to "preserve America's Game."
"For over a century, the Army-Navy Game, known as 'America’s Game,' has stood as a symbol of excellence and the American spirit," the press release states. "Now, the recent and potentially ongoing expansion of the College Football Playoffs (CFP) and other postseason college football games threatens to encroach upon the second Saturday in December — a date traditionally reserved exclusively for “America’s Game.” Such scheduling conflicts weaken the national focus on our Military Service Academies and detract from a morale-building event of vital interest to the Department of War. Accordingly, it is the policy of the United States that no college football game, specifically college football’s CFP or other postseason games, be broadcast in a manner that directly conflicts with the Army‑Navy Game."
Fans react to this executive order.
Unsurprisingly, Trump didn't receive a ton of praise for this decision. Most people believe there are far bigger issues to take care of in America right now.
"What are we doing. There are way more pressing things for this dude to be doing than anything in the sports world," one fan commented.
"Spending time on only the most important national issues, I see. Not like there’s a fake war or rising gas prices to deal with," a second person wrote.
"The promised executive order has finally come," another fan sarcastically said. "College football is fixed!"
Despite all the outrage online, we believe keeping the Army-Navy game in its December time slot is a good thing. It's important certain college football traditions stay alive in this ever-changing landscape.
