During the Celebration Bowl, a college football referee paused the game to pay tribute to military veterans.

The Celebration Bowl will feature a matchup between Jackson State and South Carolina State.

During the Celebration Bowl, a college football referee paused the game to pay tribute to military veterans.
During the Celebration Bowl, a college football referee paused the game to pay tribute to military veterans.

Travis Terrell Jr. of Jackson State just scored a touchdown by returning a punt 81 yards in the Celebration Bowl against South Carolina State, leading 7-0 in the first quarter.

The flag on the play was the only issue for Jackson State.

Then, when making the call, referee Rory Bernard did something unusual.

Rory Bernard shakes hand with Tennessee National Guard
Colonel James Reed, the current Chief of the Joint Staff for the Tennessee National Guard and an MTSU alumnus, presents the game ball to the head referee Rory Bernard before the start of the game between MTSU and Charlotte on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, at MTSU. (IMAGN)

Before saluting, Bernard said, "I'd like to honor our military veterans."

The crowd applauded as Bernard raised the flag in honor of military veterans.

"From the spot of the foul, the fifteen-yard penalty will be enforced, and the number 11 player will return to the team," said Bernard.

Jacobian Morgan and T.C. Taylor
Jackson State Tigers quarterback Jacobian Morgan (15) talks to head coach T.C. Taylor against the South Carolina State Bulldogs in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.  (Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

Unfortunately, the touchdown scored by Jackson State and Terrell Jr. was disallowed.

The annual matchup of the champions of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is known as the Celebration Bowl.

Despite playing in its third Celebration Bowl in four years, Jackson State has not won one yet, as Deion Sanders was unable to achieve this feat before leaving for Colorado.

Chennis Berry on the sideline
South Carolina State Bulldogs head coach Chennis Berry on the sideline against the Jackson State Tigers in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.  (Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

The seventh all-time meeting between Jackson State and South Carolina State in the Celebration Bowl will take place with both teams having a 11-2 record.

On Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET, the Army and Navy will face off for the 125th time, and it is likely that Bernard's show of patriotism will be the first of many.

On Saturday afternoon at Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland, both President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will be present for the Army-Navy game.

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by Ryan Canfield

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