“FUNDAMENTALLY CLOSE”
by Walter Francis Fitzpatrick, III, ©2016, blogging at The Jaghunter
(Nov. 28, 2016) — Reprinted from an email received from: Joseph R. John, USNA ‘62, Captain USN (Ret)/Former FBI; Chairman, Combat Veterans For Congress PAC; 2307 Fenton Parkway, Suite 107-184, San Diego, CA 92108
http://www.CombatVeteransForCongress.org
https://www.facebook.com/combatveteransforcongress?ref=hl
Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” -Isaiah 6:8
Captain John writes: Today, Navy won its 9th game, in its 9 and 2 record to date, by beating SMU 75 to 31. Navy will play for the AAC Championship on December 3rd, will play Army on December 10th, and has accepted an invitation to the Armed Forces Bowl on December 23rd. Go Navy!!
By Captain Matthew T. Provencher ’93, MD MC USNR
Although four hundred miles apart, the United States Naval Academy (USNA) and Gillette Stadium, home of the National Football League’s New England Patriots football franchise, are fundamentally close as a result of the firm bridge built between each location. This bridge paved by many former and current members of the New England Patriots football franchise continues to stand strong until this day. The rich connection between the New England Patriots and USNA began to initially form in 1956. That year, Stephen Belichick took on the roles of assistant coach and scout for the Navy football team. Steven excelled in these positions and was a fundamental leader for Navy Football for 34 years (1956-1989). While at the Naval Academy, Steve wrote the scouting bible “Football Scouting Methods,” which many in football coaching consider the standard to follow in order to identify and cultivate football talent. During Steve’s tenure as a Navy Football coach, his son Bill learned the fundamentals of football. Bill Belichick was often seen on the sidelines with his Dad during practice and games since the age of ten. Bill’s coaching career truly began in Annapolis, side-by-side with his Dad, decades before he set foot in Foxborough, MA.
Now as Head Coach of the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick is the 5th-ranked winningest head coach in NFL history (225-113, .666 winning percentage) and has maintained himself atop the National Football League for over fifteen years. In his time as head coach, he has won four Super Bowls, six AFC Championships and built a legacy of excellence and triumph. Currently, the New England Patriots are #1 in the AFC this season following their loss to the eventual Super Bowl Champions Denver Broncos in the 2015 AFC Championship Game. In the year prior, the Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX over the Seattle Seahawks in a dramatic finish, 28-24. Earlier this year, Super Bowl XLIX was ranked #2 Super Bowl of all time by ESPN.
Read the rest here.