As two teams that run the ball a lot and kill a lot of clock with lengthy full-field drives, Saturday’s college football game between Air Force and Navy should have gone very quickly. However, Roger Staubach and a group of elderly veterans were responsible for the most American delay in sports history, which caused the pace of play to slow down during the first half.
Staubach, considered to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time, played four years at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. He led the Midshipmen to a 9-1 regular season en route to the Heisman Trophy and a final ranking of No. 2 in the nation during the 1963/1964 season.
That year is considered to be the best season in program history. Navy has not played for a national championship since.
At 81 years old, Staubach and his teammates are getting up there in age. Their ability to travel back to their alma mater may soon be more limited.
As a result, the Midshipmen chose to honor the 1963 team on the field during their game against the Falcons. From this point forward, Staubach’s No. 12 will live on the 12-yard-line at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium!
It was a really special ceremony that took place during a break in the first quarter.
However, it caused a little bit of a delay. The 1963 team — a bunch of Navy football legends and American heros – was slow in getting off the field.
Both teams were on the ball, ready to resume play. They had to wait a few minutes while Staubach and his teammates made their way back to the sideline.
Of course, neither team nor the fans were concerned with the delay. The 1963 Naval Academy football team can take as long as they need to get off the field. They have more than earned it.
Still, though, it was pretty funny to watch unfold. It was the most American delay in college football history!