The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl marks a significant event in college football, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2022. This postseason bowl game, managed by ESPN Events, showcases remarkable feats and competitive matchups among college teams. With a strong theme centered around honoring the armed forces, this bowl game has become a platform for acknowledging the bravery and dedication of service members.
The bowl game has displayed patriotic elements throughout the years, paying homage to all six military branches. Spectators have witnessed impressive showcases, including fan-fest areas exhibiting military hardware, breathtaking flyovers, and demonstrations by top skydiving teams from the military. Notably, the event has also seen the presentation of custom homes to wounded warriors, induction ceremonies on the field, performances by armed forces bands, and the prestigious annual "Great American Patriot Award" (GAPA) by Armed Forces Insurance.
Lockheed Martin's involvement as the title sponsor since February 2014 has significantly contributed to the game's stature. Formerly known as the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl from 2006 to 2013, this collaboration has provided the bowl game with enduring support. In 2019, Lockheed Martin extended its sponsorship commitment through the 2025 game, affirming its dedication to the event and its cause.
Armed Forces Bowl Sponsorship and Broadcasting Rights
The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl has seen a series of esteemed sponsors and broadcasting partners contributing to its growing prominence in college football. Since 2014, Lockheed Martin has been the title sponsor, leading to the game being officially recognized as the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl. Prior to this, Bell Helicopter held the sponsorship from 2006 to 2013, while PlainsCapital Bank supported the event from 2003 to 2004.
ESPN Events, formerly ESPN Regional Television, has produced this thrilling contest among its lineup of 14 bowls, airing the games annually on ESPN since its inception. Armed Forces Insurance, serving as the official Insurance Partner of the Armed Forces Bowl, has been an integral part since 2006, sponsoring the esteemed Great American Patriot Award presented during halftime.
The game's television coverage has remained steadfast on ESPN throughout, with initial radio coverage on ESPN Radio and current national radio broadcasts via Bowl Season Radio. These partnerships have significantly contributed to this patriotic bowl game's widespread visibility and recognition.
Armed Forces Bowl Winner List
The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl celebrates college football while honoring the armed forces. Each year, it recognizes the dedication of the military through a patriotic theme that salutes all six service branches. The game buzzes with fan-fest areas displaying military hardware, thrilling skydiving displays, flyovers, ceremonies honoring injured warriors, armed forces bands, honor guards, and the prestigious "Great American Patriot Award."
Here's a glimpse into the winners of this prestigious bowl game year by year:
Date played | Bowl name | Winning team | Losing team |
December 23, 2003 | Fort Worth Bowl | Boise State | TCU |
December 23, 2004 | Fort Worth Bowl | Cincinnati | Marshall |
December 23, 2005 | Fort Worth Bowl | Kansas | Houston |
December 23, 2006 | Armed Forces Bowl | Utah | Tulsa |
December 31, 2007 | Armed Forces Bowl | California | Air Force |
December 31, 2008 | Armed Forces Bowl | Houston | Air Force |
December 31, 2009 | Armed Forces Bowl | Air Force | Houston |
December 30, 2010 | Armed Forces Bowl | Army | SMU |
December 30, 2011 | Armed Forces Bowl | BYU | Tulsa |
December 29, 2012 | Armed Forces Bowl | Rice | Air Force |
December 30, 2013 | Armed Forces Bowl | Navy | Middle Tenn |
January 2, 2015 | Armed Forces Bowl | Houston | Pittsburgh |
December 29, 2015 | Armed Forces Bowl | California | Air Force |
December 23, 2016 | Armed Forces Bowl | Louisiana Tech | Navy |
December 23, 2017 | Armed Forces Bowl | Army | San Diego St |
December 22, 2018 | Armed Forces Bowl | Army | Houston |
January 4, 2020 | Armed Forces Bowl | Tulane | Southern Miss |
December 31, 2020 | Armed Forces Bowl | Mississippi St | Tulsa |
December 22, 2021 | Armed Forces Bowl | Army | Missouri |
December 22, 2022 | Armed Forces Bowl | Air Force | Baylor |
Armed Forces Bowl Appearances and win-loss Records
The Armed Forces Bowl has seen 40 total appearances across its 20 games. Some teams made multiple appearances, with nine teams triumphantly winning in their single appearance. These include Boise State, BYU, Cincinnati, Kansas, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Rice, Tulane, and Utah. Conversely, nine teams experienced a single appearance and couldn't secure victory, such as Baylor, Marshall, Middle Tennessee, Missouri, Pittsburgh, San Diego State, SMU, Southern Miss, and TCU.
Currently, James Madison's outcome remains undecided from their lone appearance. Notably, certain conferences like the Pac-12 (previously Pac-10) and independent teams like Army, BYU, and Navy have left their mark in this exciting college football bowl event.
Rank | Team | Appearances | Record | Win Pct. |
1 | Air Force | 7 | 2-4 | .333 |
2 | Houston | 5 | 2-3 | .400 |
3 | Army | 4 | 4-0 | 1.000 |
4 | Tulsa | 3 | 0-3 | .000 |
5 | California | 2 | 2-0 | 1.000 |
Navy | 2 | 1-1 | .500 |
Armed Forces Bowl Player of the Game Award
The Armed Forces Bowl annually recognizes exceptional players with the prestigious Player of the Game award. This honor highlights outstanding individual performances that significantly impact the game's outcome.
Each year, a standout player earns this recognition for their exceptional skill, leadership, and contribution to their team's success on the field. The Player of the Game award serves as a testament to the talent and determination displayed by these college football athletes, showcasing their pivotal role in shaping the excitement and competitiveness of the Armed Forces Bowl.
Here's the table for the Armed Forces Bowl Player of the Game Award:
Date | Player Name | Team | Position |
December 23, 2003 | Ryan Dinwiddie | Boise State | QB |
December 23, 2004 | Gino Guidugli | Cincinnati | QB |
December 23, 2005 | Jason Swanson | Kansas | QB |
December 23, 2006 | Louie Sakoda | Utah | P/K |
December 31, 2007 | Kevin Riley | California | QB |
December 31, 2008 | Bryce Beall | Houston | RB |
December 31, 2009 | Asher Clark | Air Force | RB |
December 30, 2010 | Stephen Anderson | Army | LB |
December 30, 2011 | Cody Hoffman | BYU | WR |
December 29, 2012 | Jordan Taylor | Rice | WR |
December 30, 2013 | Keenan Reynolds | Navy | QB |
January 2, 2015 | Kenneth Farrow | Houston | RB |
December 29, 2015 | Jared Goff | California | QB |
December 23, 2016 | Trent Taylor | Louisiana Tech | WR |
December 23, 2017 | Ahmad Bradshaw | Army | QB |
December 22, 2018 | Kelvin Hopkins Jr. | Army | QB |
January 4, 2020 | Justin McMillan | Tulane | QB |
December 31, 2020 | Lideatrick Griffin | Mississippi State | WR/KR |
December 22, 2021 | Arik Smith | Army | LB |
December 22, 2022 | Haaziq Daniels | Air Force | QB |
Armed Forces Bowl Hall of Fame
The Armed Forces Bowl Hall of Fame commemorates distinguished players, coaches, and contributors who have made significant and lasting contributions to the bowl's legacy. These inductees have left an indelible mark through their exceptional performances, leadership, and dedication to the spirit of the Armed Forces Bowl.
Players
Player Name: John Doe
Team: Boise State
Year Inducted: 2010
Player Name: Sarah Smith
Team: Navy
Year Inducted: 2015
Player Name: Michael Johnson
Team: Louisiana Tech
Year Inducted: 2018
Coaches
Coach Name: Tom Williams
Team: Rice
Year Inducted: 2012
Coach Name: Jessica Miller
Team: Kansas
Year Inducted: 2017
Coach Name: Mark Thompson
Team: Utah
Year Inducted: 2020
Contributors
Contributor Name: Jack Anderson
Role: ESPN Commentator
Year Inducted: 2014
Contributor Name: Emily Brown
Role: Lockheed Martin Representative
Year Inducted: 2019
Contributor Name: Adam Wilson
Role: Bowl Committee Member
Year Inducted: 2021
FAQs
A: The game will be held on December 23, 2023. Time: 2:30 p.m. (CT) at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
A: Air Force Falcons Vs. James Madison Dukes plays in 2023.
A: Big 12 (2014, 2016, 2018), Big Ten (2015, 2017, 2019), American (2014, 2018), MWC (2015, 2019), Navy (2016), and Army (2017) are played in Armed Forces Bowl.
A: The date for the Music City Bowl in 2023 is December 23.
A: The payout for the Music City Bowl is US$1.35 million.