Mobile’s legendary maritime history serves as inspiration for spectacular Navy football uniforms

The Navy football team will wear Under Armour-designed “Navy Fleet” uniforms and hand-painted helmets for the Army-Navy Game this year. The beautiful designs are garnering rave reviews, but Alabamians have a little extra to be excited about.

The uniform is inspired by and pays homage to seven of the historic ships that make up the U.S. Naval Fleet. Each ship is detailed on one of seven hand-painted helmets that each player will wear, assigned by position (more on that below). The Littoral Combat Ship, which is built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., will appear on the helmets of Navy running backs.

“Like running backs, these fast and nimble ships can navigate through both crowded shallow and deep waters,” Navy explains.

Additionally, the rally cry “damn the torpedoes!” is featured on the uniform as a nod to Admiral David Farragut’s historic Naval victory at the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864.

Farragut is a legendary naval figure in American military history. he was the U.S. Navy’s first rear admiral, vice admiral and admiral. He is one of only six naval officers to serve on active duty for life and a statue of him still stands at the center of Farragut Square in Washington, D.C.

During the Civil War, a Farragut-led Union fleet attacked Confederate ships protecting the Port of Mobile, which at the time was the last Gulf of Mexico port controlled by the South. In spite of a minefield standing between the Union fleet and the Confederates, Farragut famously yelled, “Damn the torpedoes! Four bells. Captain Drayton, go ahead! Jouett, full speed!” The phrase has since then been shortened to “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” And it appears in numerous places on the new Navy uniform design.

Each helmet design corresponds with a position on the field. Here’s how Navy explains it:

• Linebacker: Cruiser- Provides anti-air defense and packs the biggest punch of Naval surface ships representative of the linebackers on the Navy football team
• Defensive Back: Destroyer- Known for significant fire power, speed, and anti-missile defense as are Navy’s defensive backs
• Wide Receiver: Submarine- Predominantly utilized as blockers, wide receivers play a key role in driving the Navy rush attack, taking on a stealth-like persona as they blend into the rhythm of the offense but bring significant fire power when called upon, just like a Naval submarine
• Lineman: Amphibious Assault Ships- Just as a lineman’s job is the create a hole for a running back or linebacker, these ships are utilized to establish the “beach head” that enables the invading force to gain access and ultimately accomplish their objective
• Quarterback: Aircraft Carrier- The QB of the Naval Fleet, the aircraft carrier is the ultimate decision maker; the “quick strike” weapon of the Naval fleet
• Running Back: Littoral Combat Ship- Like running backs, these fast and nimble ships can navigate through both crowded shallow and deep waters
• Kicker/Special Teams: Minesweeper- Much like the specific task of the Navy special teams, this small ship has a unique mission of identifying and eliminating mines

Army and Navy square off at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, December 12, at 2:00 PM on CBS.