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Miami Dolphins LB Andre Carter II describes 'forever' memory of Army-Navy rivalry
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- Miami Dolphins LB Andre Carter II describes 'forever' memory of Army-Navy rivalry
MIAMI GARDENS — Linebacker Andre Carter II had a surprise gift waiting at his locker when he reported to the Miami Dolphins this week.
Long snapper Joe Cardona , whose locker is next to Carter's, wanted to make Carter feel welcome.
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"He made sure to leave a Navy sweatshirt on my locker when I got here," Carter said.
It was a classic case of thanks, but no thanks.
Dec 10, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Army Black Knights outside linebacker Andre Carter II (34) reacts after a play against the Navy Midshipmen during the first half of the 123rd Army-Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA Today Sports
Carter played for Army.
Cardona? Navy.
Although the two are meeting in Miami Gardens, the same can't be said for the historic, annual Army-Navy football games . Cardona, 33, was in the Class of 2015 at Navy. Carter, 25, was in Army's Class of 2022, which went 2-2 against the Midshipmen.
"I feel like the whole rest of the season kind of got thrown out," Carter said. "Didn't matter, kind of, what our record was. We always felt like if we win that game, that could change the whole season. But just all the stuff that goes on before the game, you definitely feel like it's a bigger atmosphere. Playing with your brothers, guys that you've been with for four years, every day, is just something that I'll remember forever."
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Carter choice of West Point may have affected his NFL career.
"Anybody that goes there has a five-year service commitment," he said. "So right now, my service commitment is delayed until I'm done playing in the NFL. And then once I'm done playing in the NFL, I'll go to BOLC (Basic Officer Leader Course), and then I'll be a field artillery officer."
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For NFL prospects from those academies, the service commitment can make it harder to also pursue a career in pro football. In Carter's case, the uncertainty over whether the Army would allow him to defer his service may have been a factor in his going undrafted, although he has no regrets.
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"Really the opportunity to be an officer in the United States Army," Carter said. "I'm really excited about that, excited for the opportunity once the time comes. A great education, and then also to play at a great, prestigious football program, it's something I just couldn't pass up."
Carter has appeared in a total of 15 games for Minnesota (2023) and Las Vegas (2024), with three tackles and .5 sacks.
At Army, he had 102 tackles, 21 sacks, five passes defensed, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 37 games. The Dolphins signed him off the Detroit Lions ' practice squad after trading Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles and needing help on the edge.
"That's always my goal," Carter said of capitalizing on opportunities. "Even when I was on the practice squad, making the most of that opportunity was what I'm trying to do every day. So nothing changes being here."
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins Andre Carter II has no regrets of Army commitment
