Sports Perspectives

Navy football must do some serious soul-searching this offseason

Navy quarterback Garret Lewis fumbles the ball in the fourth quarter of the 119th Army-Navy football game at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, Dec. 08, 2018. Army won the game, 17-10.<br>TNS

Just four years ago, the Midshipmen set a single-season record by winning 11 games. How did this proud program fall so far, so fast?

In a December, 2017 file photo, the celebration is on after Army snatches victory from Navy for the second year in a row, winning the annual Army-Navy game 14-13.<br>Michael S. Darnell/Stars and Stripes

COLUMN

Nothing in sports moves me like the Army-Navy game

It doesn't matter who wins the game; when they play the alma maters, I cry. For 14 years, when I was the color commentator on the Navy radio network, I would tell Bob Socci, who did play-by-play, "When the alma maters end, don't ask me a question right away. I'm going to need a minute."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during an Economic Club of New York event, on Jan. 23, 2018.<br>Bloomberg

PERSPECTIVE

Two cases of player violence against women turn the NFL season 'upside down'

The two cases were near opposites, but they both exposed flaws in the NFL's handling of domestic violence cases.

Bryce Harper has not brought a championship to Washington, with four playoff runs falling well short, but he has been the cornerstone of an annual contender.<br>Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes

PERSPECTIVE

Bryce Harper arrived as a massive promise. If he leaves Nationals, what will his legacy be?

More than six years since his major league debut, and more than two months since what could have been his final game in a Nationals uniform, Bryce Harper may stray from the only city he has ever played in.

Air Force receiver Marcus Bennett blocks for quarterback Donald Hammond III during a game at Michie Stadium in West Point, N.Y., Nov. 3, 2018.<br>Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes

COLUMN

Air Force offense thriving under the diverse skill set of sophomore QB Hammond

The numbers show something that likely doesn’t surprise those who have followed Air Force this year — the offense is essentially the same with Donald Hammond III at quarterback, but much better.

Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder, before the season opener at Arizona.<br>John McDonnell/The Washington Post

COLUMN

For fans of teams with bad owners, there's no 'right' way to show frustration

How should a fan cope with a sports team owner who, decade after decade, proves to be incompetent or even, at time, disgraceful? Unfortunately, few parts of America have more experience with this problem than Washington. It's a noose that binds us together.

Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden walks off the field following their 42-28 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018. As the Raiders unload players, the question is: Is Gruden is a long-term visionary or a $100 million embarrassment?<br>Nhat V. Meyer, Bay Area News Group/TNS

COLUMN

In the NFL, the gap between the haves and have-nots is growing wider

The NFL is a zero-sum enterprise. When fantastic teams like Kansas City and New Orleans blaze through the league, someone has to soak up the losses. But the poles are further apart this season than ever, likely for reasons beyond plain flukiness.