Ex-Terrapins Player Recalls Time Queen Elizabeth II Watched College Football Game

KEY POINTS

Queen Elizabeth II once watched a college football game between the Terrapins and Tar Heels
Prince Philip was given a football as a gift to his son, who is now known as King Charles III
Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed the game but had to leave early to have dinner with President Eisenhower

The world is now mourning following reports that Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-serving monarch, passed away on Thursday, September 8 at the age of 96.

Tributes and people who got the chance to meet her are pouring on social media.

One interesting recollection of Queen Elizabeth II was when she wanted to watch an American sport, while she was in Washington in 1957 alongside her late husband, Prince Philip.

In a report by USA Today, it was revealed that the royal couple were able to watch a college football game featuring the Washington Terrapins and the North Carolina Tar Heels.

One person who was around at the time was Jack Healy.

He posed for photos before he got the chance to meet the queen.

"Naturally, we were nervous and this increased the pressure somewhat," Healy said to the school paper, The Diamondback.

#OTD 60 years ago, Queen Elizabeth II visited #UMD to watch @TerpsFootball – her first American college football game. #TBT pic.twitter.com/YIe805dPNP
— Univ. of Maryland (@UofMaryland) October 19, 2017

During his meeting with the queen, Healy also added that Queen Elizabeth II looked like any typical American woman.

The only difference was her precious English accent.

Healy, who penned the experience on the school paper himself, also shared how he was able to meet Prince Philip at the time.

The university gave Prince Philip a football as a gift at that time, and the longest-serving consort of the British monarch asked if it was the same ball that would be used for that game.

Healy said that it was a gift for him to give to his son, Charlie, who is now known as King Charles III.

Queen Elizabeth II arrived at around 1:00 PM for the game per the UMD archives. The school went all out to prepare for her at the time.

That included the construction of a box for the Queen and her entourage.

During halftime of that game, bands from both schools formed together to spell out "USA-BRIT" plus playing the "Star Spangled Banner and "God Save the Queen."

Queen Elizabeth II was allegedly very engaged in the game but had to leave minutes before the game ended since she was scheduled to have dinner with then-United States president Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The Terrapins won that game over the Tar Heels, 21-7.