"This video was created in compliance with COVID-19 protocols."
That's the first line from famous (or infamous, depending on which branch of the service you're in) Rylan Tuohy's latest Army-Navy Game Spirit Video. Tuohy has been making pro-Navy propaganda for the big game ever since he was a Midshipman at Annapolis. Getting his commission hasn't changed that. Neither has the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Dec. 6, 2020, Tuohy uploaded the 2020 iteration of his Navy spirit video, "A 'Viral'' Video" featuring facemasks, social distancing and his usual staple of bumbling Army representatives.
His previous hits, including "We Give a Ship," "Helm Yeah" and "Space Force," have often inspired Army spirit videos which have, in turn, been increasingly complex masterpieces. The main competitor for Tuohy's simple but hilarious spirit videos often comes from former West Point cadet (now Army officer) Austin Lachance.
Not to be outdone in the humor department, his videos include a take on the "You're Not You When You're Hungry" Snickers commercials. For a Navy-Air Force game, he made an opening to the TV show "Friends," called "Zoomies."
In 2017, Lachance created a cinematically beautiful spirit video featuring an all-star cast of who's who at the U.S. Military Academy. It was ultimately about the Black Knights kidnapping Navy's mascot using the might of the U.S. Army -- called "Lead From The Front"
That same year, Lachance created "Sing Second," an equally beautiful video capturing the Cadet's glee club singing the West Point alma mater. The title is a nod to the Army-Navy Game tradition of both teams singing each other's alma mater. The team who wins the game sings second.
Lachance has not yet uploaded a video for 2020's Army-Navy Game, but videos from both Army and Navy are streaming in. One from U.S. Army North includes the oldest West Point grad still on Active Duty, Col. John Martin (Class of 1974), along with artillery, cavalry, facemasks and disinfectant.
If you love the team spirit and can't wait for Army's official clapback to Rylan Touhy, just stay tuned.
-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.
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