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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Rhattigan’s senior year personifies another West Point football characteristic

By TOM SHANAHAN Army football annals overflow with overachieving seniors that played backup and special teams roles until they seized their opportunity as a first-year starter. Jon Rhattigan is this year’s example. The senior linebacker that entered 2020 with six career tackles leads the Black Knights through four game with 28, 11 unassisted. His four tackles for a loss have totaled 20 yards; included are 1.5 sacks for 14 yards. “I'm really excited for Jon and happy with…

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