In 2000, Otis Sistrunk had a passing thought of teaming Soldiers from Fort Lewis against Sailors from around Navy Region Northwest in friendly flag football game. Sistrunk, a former Super Bowl champion with the Oakland Raiders and now manager of Cowan Memorial Stadium at Fort Lewis, now has a new claim to fame: innovator of the annual Army/Navy flag football game.

“When some guys came back from overseas they told me about this game they played against the Navy over there and I called Pam [Ferraro],” said Sistrunk. “It’s a good way to bring everyone together and get all the comrades in one place.”

Not only does Sistrunk have to ties to the Army, but he is also an honorary chief in the Navy. While living in Virginia Beach, Va., over 15 years ago, Sistrunk helped a Sailor who was in a bind and was later given the honor. He said helping people was why he started working for the Army, and to have an annual flag football game is a great way for the Sailors and Soldiers to share their stories.

“They’re all fighting the same war,” Sistrunk said. “This game goes further than we know, all the way to Iraq. When guys go over there, they want to know who won the game and can’t wait to come back and play the next year.”

Dec. 2 will mark the next chapter in a game that has reached far beyond original expectations. The 6th annual Army/Navy flag football game will be the biggest yet and according to Pam Ferraro, event coordinator for the game, the regimen for the players is becoming more structured.

“When we first started, the game was the same and the rules were the same, but now the players are in a more controlled setting during game week,” Ferraro said. The team members will have two-a-day practices, have time in the weight room, look over game film of the previous year and visit commands throughout the region to draw attention to the game. As the years have gone on, the tryouts have become more rigorous and competitive, so the new screening process the Sailors must go through was necessary, Ferraro said.

Also over the years, a pep rally, team breakfast the day of the game, tailgate parties and post-game parties have all evolved. Ferraro’s fear however, is that the spotlight will be taken away from who it truly belongs to.

“This is about camaraderie and a chance for these guys to represent their services,” Ferraro said. “I don’t want everyone to lose focus of that aspect. This is about the players.”

The Navy has won three of the five games between the two, with Army winning last year’s contest at Fort Lewis, 17-12, on a fourth quarter touchdown pass from Kendra Fletcher to Courtney Green. This year’s affair will be played at Silverdale Stadium near the Olympic High School campus, the first time the game has not been played on a military installation. Come see who will be this year’s hero Friday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. with pregame festivities beginning at 5 p.m. Be sure to bring an unwrapped new toy for the Toys for Tots collection.

The Bremerton Elks Lodge will also host a “Meet the Players” dinner Tuesday, Nov. 29. The dinner will be a choice of stuffed salmon or prime rub for $14.50. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a no-host bar and dinner will be served at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are limited and available at both ITT offices. For more information on the dinner, call (360) 476-8198.