The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl is the one time in the year when two football teams other than TCU(well, usually) square off on the turf of Amon G. Carter Stadium.
But the Armed Forces Bowl was never just a game – it also serves as a tribute to U.S. military servicemen and women.
Set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 23, the game will pit the U.S. Naval Academy against a team from the Big 12 Conference, pending bowl eligibility, as well as honor military personnel in between. A lineup of on-field ceremonies, award presentationsand recognitions are planned for this year's bowl, and one wounded veteran will leave the game with a brand new home.
New to this year's game is a sponsorship from Fort Worth-based dealership Bruce Lowrie Chevrolet, which will sponsor the Bruce Lowrie Warrior Club, located in the south end zone of Amon G. Carter Stadium. The club will host 250 wounded veterans and their families, providing them foodand complimentary tickets.
There's plenty to do for fans not in the military as well. Outside the stadium, fans can mosey through the Tailgate Outpost Fan Fest, featuring food trucks, games, military hardware, and other sights and activities.
And, of course, there's football. Last year, the California Golden Bears left Fort Worth with a dominating 55-36 win over the Air Force Academy. Cal quarterback Jared Goff threw for 467 yards and six touchdowns, breaking Aaron Rodgers" school record for passing yards in a bowl game and coming just one touchdown shy of tying Geno Smith's record for most passing touchdowns in a bowl game. Goff later became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, taken by the Los Angeles Rams.
The Navy will find out its opponent on Dec. 4 when final college football rankings are announced.
The Armed Forces Bowl will be televised nationally on ESPN.
