Image: Wikimedia Commons (U.S. Department of Defense, February 2025)
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth joined CBS Sports for the pregame show before the Army-Navy game on Saturday.
Secretary Hegseth shared why America’s Game is so special.
“We were just talking before. I’m a football fan like all of you, so I love watching it every Saturday and Sunday, but there’s nothing like this day. This is America’s Day. The soul of this arena right now is the best of America. It’s going to be great football. We’re going to watch it. It’s always some surprises,” Hegseth said.
“But what these men are willing to do and what these men and women watching are willing to do make them the real 1% of this country.”
“The real elite of this country are those wearing the uniform today, and I’m honored to be here.”
Hegseth was asked, “It’s always a treat when the people that are in charge of these young men and women have such vigor and excitement and are just as amazed by the spectacle as all of us are.”
“But what I want to ask you is, to the men and women that are deployed all around the world, and I know you can speak from personal experience, what does this game mean to them as they’re deployed around the world? How does this bring them back to their days either at the Service Academy or how do they get to share and celebrate America?”
Hegseth responded, “You guys know the key to real camaraderie is rivalry. The brotherhood is forged in difficult moments. So it’s on the gridine here, but then later on, it’s in all the units that you serve with together.”
“And on this day, you pick sides. And every other day, you’re on the same side.”
“But I’m actually here right now with a pretty heavy heart. It was announced 30 minutes ago, we lost three great Americans in Syria today, two soldiers and a civilian interpreter.”
“Again, it’s a reminder of the deadly serious nature of what these warriors sign up to do. We honor them by giving everything today. We honor them by having their back. This game demonstrates to the country, reminds the country of how special what they do is.”
Hegseth was then asked, “When you were deployed, whether it was Iraq or Afghanistan, when they were playing this game, what was it like for you just watching it with your buddies, watching it? Because that’s the middle of the night over there when you’re watching this game.”
“It is the middle of the night, but you’re awake,” he responded. “No doubt. I mean, it’s always a special thing for those that went to West Point, Annapolis. If you went, if you’re an alum, it’s that much. But everybody took sides. As an army guy, of course, it’s always go army, except this year, now I can be bipartisan because the Department of War is everybody. I did pick Navy for today’s game, trying to be a little balanced, but I love them all. Man, I love them all. It’s a brotherhood that most people don’t understand, but those that do, hold it dear.”
Hegseth was asked for a quick message for all the men and women currently serving our country.
“Thank you for what you do.”
“From President Trump, he has your back. We have your back. We honor you.”
“My job is to serve you, is to serve them, is to give every tool, authority you need to do your job to deter America’s enemies, keep us safe.”
“If we have to fight, you’re going to fight to win. That’s what the War Department is all about.”
Watch:
.@SECWAR full interview ahead of the ARMY-NAVY game. pic.twitter.com/cneSt38wKD
— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) December 13, 2025
The Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy Beat the Army’s Black Knights and retained possession of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.
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