Trump is 10th sitting president to attend Army-Navy game

President Donald Trump tosses the coin before the Army-Navy NCAA college football game, Dec 8, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP) Saturday was a day of politics and football for President Donald Trump, who announced the departure of his chief of staff, nominated a new top military adviser and then threw fist pumps at this year’s ArmyNavy football game.

The commander in chief flew to Philadelphia for the 119th meeting in the storied rivalry between the service academies, and officiated the coin toss at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Navy called “tails,” and that’s what it was when Trump’s flipped coin landed on the turf. Navy elected to kick off.

Before the game, parachute jumpers floated onto the field – the Army ones displaying the American and service flags and the Navy ones waving banners that said “Forged by the Sea” and “Fear the Goat” – a reference to the Navy’s mascot. Cheers rose up from the stands when each landed.

Trump and Defense Secretary James Mattis stood silent during an invocation and a moment of silence for former president George H.W. Bush, who died recently died at age 94. Trump and Mattis both received loud cheers and applause from members of the two armed services. Military jets and helicopters flew overhead, and the teams stormed the field to a deafening roar. (AP) —