Read more about the article Army’s football players learn during turbulent year there is always more awareness to discover

Army’s football players learn during turbulent year there is always more awareness to discover

By TOM SHANAHAN “Awareness, awareness, awareness,” was how TV analyst Frank Broyles, a College Football Hall of Fame coach, described players with instincts. Another kind of awareness, racial, was an additional quality that Army West Point’s players gained as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. The players relied on virtual group phone calls to remain connected upon West Point closing nine months ago at the start of COVID-19 pandemic. At first, they were casual conversations from hometowns…

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Read more about the article Blackman rides a West Point wave to a storybook moment
Jordan Blackman #10 of the Army Black Knights celebrates after rushing for a touchdown during a game against the Mercer Bears at Michie Stadium on October 24, 2020 in West Point, NY.

Blackman rides a West Point wave to a storybook moment

PHOTO (Dustin Satloff/Army Athletics) By TOM SHANAHAN The scene unfolding as West Point's Jordan Blackman was engulfed by teammates was something out of a Hollywood movie. The senior had scored his first career touchdown in last week’s 49-3 win over Mercer at Michie Stadium. Moments earlier, his first career carry was a 13-yard run. On third-and-goal from the 6, he plowed his way over the left front pylon. A Mercy tackler, careening backward, must have asked for mercy…

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Read more about the article West Point’s ‘firstie’ right tackle completes Oceanside hat trick

West Point’s ‘firstie’ right tackle completes Oceanside hat trick

PHOTO: J.B. Hunter (55). By TOM SHANAHAN James and Lulu Hunter call their son J.B. “the softie of the family.” Their term of affection is understandable only if you recognize they’re retired non-commissioned Marines. They embraced the Corps’ creed as the military’s toughest branch. J.B., though, certainly doesn’t look like a “softie” on first impression. He’s Army football’s third-year starting right tackle, a 6-foot-4, 290-pounder. As for nicknames, he prefers “firstie,” the class designation for West Point seniors…

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