Planning, execution and debriefing. Order, structure and punctuality. Teamwork and chain of command. Persevering through pain, discomfort and difficult circumstances. The parallels are significant between a military operation and a football team.
"We had a saying in the Seals, 'Seal training is easy, all you do is never quit,'" says Mike Argo, a Tar Heel defensive lineman who lettered in 1978-79 before moving on to a three-decade career as a U.S. Navy Seal. "We had another one that said, 'The only easy day was yesterday.'
"It's the same kind of environment in football, particularly training camp and spring practice.