Investigation finds no racist intent behind OK hand signals at Army-Navy game

West Point cadets and Naval Academy midshipmen accused of flashing a “white power”-linked hand sign on television last week were instead playing a popular prank among teenagers known as the “circle game,” military officials said Friday.

After an internal investigation launched against the cadets and midshipmen — who were seen flashing the “OK” hand symbol during a Dec. 14 ESPN broadcast before the annual Army-Navy football game — the U.S. Military Academy found that “the intent was not associated with ideologies or movements that are contrary to the Army values.”

“We investigated this matter thoroughly,” U.S. Military Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams said in a statement.

“Last Saturday we had reason to believe these actions were an innocent game and not linked to extremism, but we must take allegations such as these very seriously. We are disappointed by the immature behavior of the cadets,” Williams said.

The U.S. Naval Academy, which completed its own investigation into the hand gestures by two of its midshipmen, made a similar determination.

“The investigation found no evidence of racist intent,” Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Sean Buck said in a service statement.

“The Naval Academy is fully committed to preparing young men and women to become professional officers of competence, character, and compassion in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps; in this case, we recognize there is more work to be done,” Buck said.

The hand signs were captured as ESPN anchor Reece Davis talked about the rivalry while surrounded by a group of students, some flashing the “OK” hand symbol.

The sign, in which the thumb and forefinger create a circle while the other three fingers are extended, has become popular among far-right extremists in recent years. 

But the investigator found that the game was being played in the stands before the ESPN host moved into the crowd, with the investigating officer concluding that the cadets “were playing a common game, popular among teenagers today,” according to the West Point release.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville also concluded that the investigation “determined there was no racist intent by cadets.”

“The American people trust our Soldiers to do the right things the right way. We must be mindful of behavior which brings that trust into question and ensure our actions meet the high ethical and professional standards our nation expects the American Soldier to uphold,” McConville said in a statement.

The cadets involved “will receive appropriate administrative and/or disciplinary actions” based on their behavior, according to the release.

“We develop leaders of character who serve to defend our nation and the American people, and we expect our cadets to lead and live honorably and demonstrate excellence. Leading and living honorably means to act in a professional manner at all times,” Williams said.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, meanwhile, said the Navy “does not tolerate racism in any form,” and though the investigation “determined there was no racist intent behind these actions, our behavior must be professional at all times and not give cause for others to question our core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.”