Welcome to the blog of Dr. Lisa Burns' Sports, Media & Society class at Quinnipiac University. If you're looking for in-depth analysis of sports media issues, this blog is for you!
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Sports, Nationalism & Patriotism Blog 9, Question 2 (April 19)
What role do sports play in uniting people
after national tragedies or in times of hardship? Discuss at least three
historical examples that support your response. Limit: 13 responses
It may not seem like it, but sports play a much bigger role in uniting people after national tragedies than one might think. Everyone has a team they like, but people often fail to realize that even though you may be a fan of a different team, you are still a fan of the same sport. After the horrific tragedy of 9/11, baseball started to bring the city of New York back together. September 21st, 2001 was the first home game for the New York Mets since the tragedy on September 11th, 2001. The Mets were playing their biggest rivals, the Atlanta Braves. Although the two teams were still in a tight playoff race, this game was about more than just baseball. It was about to bring a sense of normalcy back to the city. Former Mets superstar catcher Mike Piazza "hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in the eighth inning off of Steve Karsay of the Braves to propel the Mets to a 3-2 victory in the first professional sporting event in New York after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. (SNY.tv 2018). This was the first major sports game in New York after the attacks, as the Yankees, Jets, and Giants all were on the road. Having the first game back end the way it did was unimaginable and still remains one of the greatest moments in sports history.
If you have ever been at a sports game, you have heard the national anthem be played before the start of the event. No matter the event, "For decades, Americans have stood for the national anthem and then sat down for a ballgame. From big-city stadiums to small-town high school fields, those broad striped and bright stars are the expected musical preamble to our ballgames." (Brady 2021). Before every football game that I played in high school, the national anthem, would play, and each time, it meant something. It was not just a song played before a game. It united everyone that was there. When the national anthem plays before a game, there is not a peep from the crowd as they are all united in honoring the United States of America. During the height of the Cold War between the U.S. and the USSR, "The Miracle on Ice" happened. There is still a lasting impact of the event as at the time, "The country was in a deep economic recession. Not to mention the unemployment and inflation rates were at a record high." (Biringer 2020). The United States of America were heavy underdogs against the Soviet Union but pulled out a victory in one of the greatest upsets in sports history. The Miracle on Ice did not end the Cold War, but it did give Americans a new sense of optimism. The city of Boston was met with absolute heartbreak because of the Boston Marathon bombing. However, the Red Sox played a significant role in helping the city of Boston recover. In the Red Sox's first home game since the bombing, a huge pregame ceremony was held to honor the victims and survivors of the bombing. It was a great ceremony that was "capped by an unforgettable speech from David Ortiz. The superstar slugger thanked the mayor, governor and Boston police department for their efforts in restoring order." (Penney 2020). The Red Sox were not supposed to be contenders that season but ended up winning the World Series, and I think part of the reason is that the players felt they had a chip on their shoulder for the season to show just much Boston was able to recover from this tragedy. Sports can bring people together, no matter whom they root for, which is one reason why sports are one of the best things in the world.
17 years ago today: Mike Piazza's homer in first game in New York after 9/11 attacks. Sny.tv. (2018, September 21). Retrieved April 16, 2022, from https://sny.tv/articles/17-years-ago-today-mike-piazzas-homer-in-first-game-in-new-york-after-911-attacks
Biringer, B. J. (2020, February 18). 40 years later the miracle on ice still has a lasting impact. Last Word On Hockey. Retrieved April 16, 2022, from https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2020/02/18/40-years-later-the-miracle-on-ice-still-has-a-lasting-impact/
Brady, E. (2021, February 10). Why is the national anthem played before American sporting events? and when did it start? USA Today. Retrieved April 16, 2022, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2021/02/10/national-anthem-sports-why-played-mark-cuban-colin-kaepernick/6702871002/
Penney, S. (2020, April 15). Red Sox Memories: Returning to Fenway following tragic Boston Marathon bombing. BoSox Injection. Retrieved April 16, 2022, from https://bosoxinjection.com/2020/04/15/red-sox-memories-returning-fenway-following-tragic-boston-marathon-bombing/
Danielle Price Dr. Burns MSS420 4/17/22 Blog 9 Sports play a huge role in uniting people after tragedies or during times of hardship. One major tragedy in which we see this is 9/11. The first thought that came to mind when reading the question to this blog was Mike Piazza. This is because shortly after the attacks on September 21st, the Mets hosted “their first game in New York since the attacks” (Sport’s Post-9/11). Piazza hit a homerun in the eighth inning to win the game for the Mets which made the score 3-2. This homerun made the crowd go insane. This meant so much to the people of New York and this win definitely united them. Further, it was known to help “lift a city – and a nation – reeling from unspeakable tragedy” (Lee). This game was huge, and Piazza’s homerun will forever be memorable. Going to a game in the city in which the attacks happened and experiencing a strong victory like that one was extremely uplifting. Afterwards Piazza stated that, “It was just this incredible release of emotion, and I think, you know, it became evidently clear that people just wanted to cheer about something" (Lee). However, former Mets manager Bobby Valentine questions whether the world can unite again through sports with controversial topics surrounding the industry now. He stated that “It was a spontaneous moment of people coming together,” wondering if moments like this will happen again (Sport’s Post-9/11). The National Anthem is typically performed before sporting events. This song is special for our country and symbolizes what our country stands for. Further, “the song is about a battle in the War of 1812. The first documented time that it was played at an American sporting event came at a baseball game in 1862, during the Civil War” (Brady). This tradition of playing it before games was strengthened “at the 1918 World Series, during World War I. And the tradition of playing it before games was popularized during World War II” (Brady). This tradition helped create a feeling of unity due to the surrounding circumstances. During those hardships, people were separated from their families, and fearing the unknown. Emotions and stress levels were at an all-time high during the world wars. Therefore, hearing the National Anthem at a sporting event would help people feel a sense of patriotism and pride (Brady). Lastly, on March 15th in 2019 the mosque terror attacks in New Zealand occurred. A man walked into “a place of worship and killed dozens of people” (Oates). Following these attacks, “the Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers joined in a pre-match huddle for a moment of silence to pay tribute to the victims” (Oates). In that moment, competition did not matter, as the feeling of unity flooded the hearts of everyone in the stadium (Oates). It is clear that sports play a huge role in creating a sense of unity when tragedies and times of hardships occur. This is a safe place for fans to turn to when experiencing struggles within themselves, as a city, or even as a nation. Works Cited Brady, Erik. “Why Is the National Anthem Played before American Sporting Events? and When Did It Start?” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 10 Feb. 2021, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2021/02/10/national-anthem-sports-why-played-mark-cuban-colin-kaepernick/6702871002/. Lee, Jason. “Piazza's Post-9/11 Hr Brought 'Incredible Release of Emotion' to NY, Nation.” MLB.com, MLB, 22 Feb. 2022, https://www.mlb.com/news/mike-piazza-post-9-11-home-run-shea-stadium. Monday, Katelyn Oates |. “Sports World Offers Comfort, Healing after Tragedy, Disasters.” Global Sport Matters, 29 Apr. 2019, https://globalsportmatters.com/culture/2019/04/29/sports-world-offers-comfort-healing-after-tragedy/. Sport’s Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and ‘Manipulation’ - the New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html.
Shannon Goria Sports in general bring athletes from all different places and cultures together for the love of the game. Not only do they bring athletes together, but sport fans congregate to watch their favorite teams and players compete. So when it comes to a national tragedy or a historical hardship that the country or even the world is facing, sports tend to use their platform to further unite individual's together to show that we stand as one. For example, after the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in NYC in 2001, “thousands gathered in that same wounded, smoking city for Game 3 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks” with “President George W. Bush schedules to deliver the game’s first pitch” (Robinson, 2021). In fact, this pitch by America’s current president was said to show America’s strength in that we as a country were rallying. Robinson described how ESPN even produced a documentary about this “First Pitch” as the noise from the giant crowd in the Yankee Stadium with President Bush giving a quick thumbs up to the crowd and national television in his bulletproof vest before he threw a strike was a symbol of hope in that we as a country were not alone. After that pitch the crowd did not hesitate in cheering “USA” to show a sense of pride for our country and Robinson even recalled that the 9/11 Memorial & Museum even created a section dedicated to “Comeback Season: Sports After 9/11” (Robinson, 2021). In fact, a memorial service to honor the missing and dead from 9/11 was also held at the Yankee stadium called “A Prayer for America” and Robinson even addressed that the New York Mets even wore NYPD hats to show their gratitude for the courage of such heroes. Another national tragedy that united people includes the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that shook Japan. The New York Times addressed that “athletes and coaches created a support network to help hundreds of athletes that were affected by the tsunami” and “helped reconnect athletes with their families and neighbors” (Monday, 2019). As a result, athletes everywhere came together to support one another and get their fellow competitors and sports fans back to the safety of their homes and families. Monday (2021) also stated that after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, New Orleans not only lost their stadium for the Saints, but they began to lose hope and spirit. However, thanks to the Saints’ new head coach Sean Payton and quarterback, Drew Brees, when the Saints retuned back to their newly repaired stadium with their new and improved team, it helped electrocute the city as the team’s success sent a hopeful message to the residents of New Orleans that recovery after adversity is possible (Monday, 2021).
Shannon Goria (Continued) In addition, the national anthem is played before every large sports competition and event in order to honor those fighting for the freedom of our country. As a result, everyone at the game, athletes, coaches, and fans, come together to show a sense of pride to be a part of such a free country. After World War 2, “most teams continued to play the anthem in the surge of postwar patriotism” (Brady, 2021). And even though it has begun to be a political debate with football player Colin Kaepernick starting the movement of taking a knee for black rights, it still brings American athletes and fans together today. Another personal example that I have on how sports bring people together happened just two weeks ago when I traveled to Virginia for a track and field meet. When my team first arrived around 10:00pm on a Thursday night, we heard reports that three male athletes from Milligan University were hit by a car, with two in critical condition and one killed on site. As a result, track and field athletes across the country were posting to their Instagram and Facebook in memory of him and to emphasize the importance of safe driving. Unfortunately, the incident involved a hit and run and the driver was found to be intoxicated. At the meet the next day, the stadium had a moment of silence for the athlete that had passed and his team. Even though many of us did not know him personally, this incident still united us as one front as we grieved for him and his family and team and honored his time as a young man and collegiate athlete.
References
Brady, E. (2021, February 10). Why is the national anthem played before American sporting events? and when did it start? USA Today. Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2021/02/10/national-anthem-sports-why-played-mark-cuban-colin-kaepernick/6702871002/ Monday, K. O. (2019, April 29). Sports world offers comfort, healing after tragedy, disasters. Global Sport Matters. Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://globalsportmatters.com/culture/2019/04/29/sports-world-offers-comfort-healing-after-tragedy/ Robinson, D. (2021, September 11). Common ground: When sports brought us together. Deseret News. Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://www.deseret.com/9-11/2021/9/10/22657654/how-tragedy-of-9-11-helped-americans-find-common-ground-when-sports-brought-country-together
Although many people see sports as just a game they often forget that sports can bring people together and are often a form of coping when in times of hardship. Over recent years tragedies both large and small have been recognized by many sports leagues. One article I was reading titled Sport’s Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and ‘Manipulation’ by Jonathan Abrams talks about some of the positives as well as negatives of having sporting events shortly after a nationwide tragedy. One of the positive quotes that stood out to me was “On Sept. 21, 2001, the Mets hosted the Atlanta Braves in their first game in New York since the attacks. Mike Piazza smacked a home run in the eighth inning that lifted the Mets to a 3-2 victory, providing a level of catharsis for many in a reeling city and country” (Abrams). This quote explains how sports can be seen as just a game but oftentimes they bring memorable and heartwarming moments that can assist us in moving forward, but also remembering those who may have lost their lives in tragedies throughout the United States.
The next article I read was also extremely interesting and talked about some topics I had never really thought about before. The national anthem in sports although a reminder of past wars and tragedies also provides a sense of unity as well as energy to sporting events. The article titled Why is the National Anthem Played Before American Sporting Events? And When Did It Start? Erik Brady, quotes “The song is about a battle in the War of 1812. The first documented time that it was played at an American sporting event came at a baseball game in 1862, during the Civil War. The tradition of playing it at sports events got a dramatic boost at the 1918 World Series, during World War I. And the tradition of playing it before games was popularized during World War II” (Brady). Overall I thought it was interesting to hear this backstory and I think this goes to show how important sports are as a competitive yet peaceful way of coming together.
Lastly, after doing some further research on this topic I chose to do some research of my own on post 9/11 sporting events. I found an article titled Finding Strength After 9/11: Patriots Football, Foxboro and the Andruzzi Family by Mike D’abate which talked about how sporting events bring people together to mourn after tragic events. In addition, the article also focused on some of the pre-game ceremonies, moments of silence, as well as memorable moments of honor towards those who may have lost their lives in a tragic event. The article explains one moment in particular about the Andruzzi family and their heroic efforts towards 9/11 during the first NFL game since. The article explains “It was a moment that represented resilience, honor, and unity — the same values by which the Andruzzi family had always lived” (D’abate) Overall I think sports have been recognizing these tragedies and addressing them very well. In almost all of the sports leagues when something tragic happens they make sure to hold a moment of silence or honorable recognition for the people involved. I think this will continue in the future and will help sports tackle other social issues in the process.
Works Cited
D'Abate, Mike. “Finding Strength after 9/11: Patriots Football, Foxboro and the Andruzzi Family.” Sports Illustrated New England Patriots News, Analysis and More, Sports Illustrated New England Patriots News, Analysis and More, 11 Sept. 2021, https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/finding-strength-after-9-11-patriots-football-foxboro-and-the-andruzzi-family. Brady, Erik. “Why Is the National Anthem Played before American Sporting Events? and When Did It Start?” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 10 Feb. 2021, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2021/02/10/national-anthem-sports-why-played-mark-cuban-colin-kaepernick/6702871002/. Abrams, Jonathan. “Sport's Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and 'Manipulation'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Sept. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html.
Sports play a large role in uniting people after national tragedies and times of hardships. They allow people of differences to find a common ground and something to root for when times seem bleak. More importantly, they serve as a distraction to what is really going on, and even if it is just for a limited time, allows people to live in a reality where the most important thing is a win for their team. Evidence of the power of sports can be seen all throughout history, in several different sporting events. There is no denying the power that sports have for people. One specific example where sports have unified people after tragedy is MLB after 9/11. New York City was distraught after the 9/11 attacks. People were lost and could not make sense of what happened. Days later, New Yorkers went to Met’s game and witnessed Mike Piazza hit a go-ahead homerun that, “provided a level of catharsis for many in a reeling city and country” (Abrams). That homerun not only gave the Mets a win, it gave the entire city something to cheer about and root for. In that moment they were all able to hold up their American flags and give a message to the world that New York was not defeated, and sports gave them the avenue to do so. Another example of sports bringing people together after tragedy is when the Wellington Phoenix played the Western Sydney Wanderers shortly after the mosque terror attacks in New Zealand. Although they are rivals, fans and players came together to remember those who passed and pay tribute. Roy Krishna, Wellington striker, scored during the game, but instead of doing his usual celebration, he opted to honor the Muslim community (Oates). He went into a Muslim Sajdah prayer position as a way of paying tribute and support to those who were hurt. The gesture was extremely emotional but was extremely meaningful to those who were hurt. Soccer has such a large platform in New Zealand. For people to see that they are seen, and being thought of, on a national level by their heroes, meant everything to them, and was yet another example where sports united a group of people after a tragedy.
A third historical example of sports united people after times of hardship is how football was able to unite people when the Black Lives Matter movement was gaining steam. The country was in a state of extreme divisiveness. People were disagreeing on whether sports should be brought into politics, or if they should be left out. As the Black Lives Matter protests began to gain more traction, a large group of people turned to sports as a distraction for what was going on. Although this is controversial, and many believe that sports should not serve as a distraction, it still did for many. According to Joe Buck, “’people looked at [football] as a respite from the updates on their phones the political banter back and forth on CNN and Fox’” (Serazio 276). People were able to use football as a place where people of all races could come together, forget their differences, and cheer for their favorite team to win. Overall, sports have taken the role of unifying people after and during times of hardships and tragedy.
Abrams, Jonathan. “Sport's Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and 'Manipulation'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Sept. 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html. Oates, Katelyn. “Sports World Offers Comfort, Healing after Tragedy, Disasters.” Global Sport Matters, Global Sports Matters, 29 Apr. 2019, https://globalsportmatters.com/culture/2019/04/29/sports-world-offers-comfort-healing-after-tragedy/. Serazio, Michael. “Fair Game.” The Power of Sports: Media and Spectacle in American Culture, New York University Press, New York, 2019, p. 276.
If I asked you to think about sports and tell me what comes to mind, I’m sure I would hear many things like different types of sports, different sports teams, or memorable sports events. However, what nobody thinks about when it comes to sports that may be the best aspect of them is the role that they play in uniting people after national tragedies or times of hardship. Sports are so much more than games played or entertainment. They are an avenue for people to come together and create a world of support that is unbreakable. Sports have been unifying people after tragedies throughout history. Some examples of this are 9-11, the March 15th Mosque Terror Attacks and Hurrican Katrina. After 9-11, New York as well as the whole country were in a state of panic and distress. Ten days after the attack, sports, specifically baseball in New York, helped bring a sense of normalcy back to the country. Jonathan Abrams stated, “On Sept. 21, 2001, the Mets hosted the Atlanta Braves in their first game in New York since the attacks. Mike Piazza smacked a home run in the eighth inning that lifted the Mets to a 3-2 victory, providing a level of catharsis for many in a reeling city and country” (Abrams). This unified catharsis was something that was needed for these people to be able to move on and continue going through life after the horrific 9-11 attacks. Baseball was able to unite the country around a sport and provide that much needed normalcy and sense of relief to citizens. After the March 15 Mosque Terror Attacks in New Zealand, sports aso helped to unify and provide comfort feelings of unease, grief, and confusion. Katelyn Oates states, “At Wellington Regional Stadium, the Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers joined in a pre-match huddle for a moment of silence to pay tribute to the victims. In the moment, rivalry and competition did not matter. In the moment, fans came together, regardless of the team they rooted for” (Oates). Once again, sports was used as a way for people to unite and cope with the struggles that they were facing in the world. A final example of sports being a unifying factor after facing hardships would be in football after Hurricane Katrina. Oates discussed this by saying, “When Katrina struck in 2005, it not only wiped away infrastructure, but it also decimated the hope and spirit of the people of New Orleans. The team [New Orleans Saints] and the people of New Orleans needed something to rally around as recovery efforts lagged and the realization the city would never be the same settled in. As the 2006 season began, the Saints returned home to a repaired and refurbished stadium. The team carried that energy through the rest of the season, finishing 10-6 in the regular season and reaching the first NFC Championship game in team history. The team’s success gave the people of New Orleans something to be proud of. It sent a hopeful message to the residents that if the Saints could rebuild and find success after adversity, then they could as well” (Oates). The New Orleans Saints and football as a sport were able to bring back hope to the city after this hardship tore them down.
Overall, sports play a large role in uniting people after hardships and tragedies occur. This is even further proven by the National Anthem. According to Erik Brady, “The song is about a battle in the War of 1812. The first documented time that it was played at an American sporting event came at a baseball game in 1862, during the Civil War. The tradition of playing it at sports events got a dramatic boost at the 1918 World Series, during World War I. And the tradition of playing it before games was popularized during World War II” (Brady). Even the act of the National Anthem being played at sporting events came from playing it at a sporting event during a war in order to bring people together and unify a broken country through sports. This just amplifies the proof of how sports play a large and important role in unifying people especially after hardships and tragedies are faced. Works Cited Abrams, J. (2021, September 10). Sport's post-9/11 patriotism seen as unifier, and 'manipulation'. The New York Times. Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html Brady, E. (2021, February 10). Why is the national anthem played before American sporting events? and when did it start? USA Today. Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2021/02/10/national-anthem-sports-why-played-mark-cuban-colin-kaepernick/6702871002/ Monday, K. O. |. (2019, April 29). Sports world offers comfort, healing after tragedy, disasters. Global Sport Matters. Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://globalsportmatters.com/culture/2019/04/29/sports-world-offers-comfort-healing-after-tragedy/
Not only do sports help unify millions of people around the world for their love of sports, that unification sports bring becomes ever more prominent after a national tragedy or in times of hardship. We can all think of many examples that sports helped play a role in uniting people after national tragedies and hardships especially in the time the world is in right now when almost a year ago, we had no sports what so ever due to covid sweeping the nation. Sports is never not on TV. There is only two days a year sports are not on TV so it was definitely a sad time for all of us sports fans. According to the article The Importance Of Sports Amid The Coronavirus Pandemic Continues To Be Emphasized by Michael LoRé, LoRé summarizes the importance of sports and its athletes and how in a trying time like this one, athletes are role models and they have the platforms to help unite people. “Athletes are role models in society and kids listen to what athletes say more than they listen to their parents. Let’s utilize that in time of need like this one in order to send the right message, in order to do the right thing, in order to unite and bring the best out of people in a time of uncertainty and adversity. That’s a chance we have right now. Instead of looking out for our own or pointing fingers or criticizing or being more separate than we were, it’s a time we can really come together. It's an opportunity. I hope we don’t waste it” (LoRé). LoRé further states “sports are more than entertainment. They are more than an escape from reality. They are a platform for change. A platform to further conversation. A platform to help, inspire, educate and guide” (LoRé). Although sports may be back in full swing now, these words are something we all can take with us for the future.
The second event in history that I decided to look at is one we all know all too well, hitting home a lot stronger for me and others as I had family in the city that day and my uncle who was part of the Secret Service at the time, was down at Ground Zero that day. September 21, 2001 will be remembered as the first time after 9/11 that a baseball game was played in New York since the attacks with the Mets hosting the Atlanta Braves. During the eight inning of the game, catcher Mike Piazza hit a home run helping the Mets win a 3-2 victory over the Braves. As stated in the article Sport’s Post 9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and ‘Manipulation’ by Jonathan Abrams “The Mets 3-2 victory provided a level of catharsis for many in a reeling city and country. It was a spontaneous moment of people coming together” said Bobby Valentine former LMB player (Abrams, Valentine). It is the simplest things like hitting a home run and winning for the first time after a worldwide tragedy that makes the role of sports so special.
The third event that comes to mind for me that sports played an important role in unifying people after a national tragedy some may not know as well as a hockey fan may know. It was April 6, 2018 when the news of the Humboldt Broncos struck heartstrings around the world especially for hockey players and fans. The Humboldt Broncos are a Canadian junior hockey team out of Humboldt, Saskatchewan. On April 6, 2018 the team was headed to a playoff game when a semi-trailer truck hit their coach bus filled with 29 members of the Humboldt Hockey Team, when the driver of the semi failed to yield at a flashing stop sign killing 16 people and leaving 13 with severe and life- threatening injuries. It brings tears to my eyes as I write this and remember just how horrifying the news of the accident was. Though the hockey community may be a small one, the amount of love and support the Broncos received was immeasurable. The article ‘The Love Poured In’ Broncos brought the World Together by Rory McGouran, summarizes just how immense the support and love for this team and sport are. Donations from all across the world came pouring in. The Go Fund Me raised over 15 million dollars with donations coming in from over 80 countries. Spotlight Sport and Corporate Wear, a company in Humboldt had worked for 36 days straight averaging 14 hours per day printing over 12,000 shirts being sent as far as Japan, Finland, and Dubai raising $304,209 to the Humboldt Strong Community Foundation. Charity games were organized and small businesses blew up selling things in remembrance of this special team. ‘Sticks out for the Broncos’ blew up all over social media which became a way for people to show they were thinking of the Broncos by leaving sticks outside their doors, some even lighting candles too. The NHL gave moments of silence all around the league. “It’s nearly impossible to include ever campaign or small gesture of individuals doing their part to send love the way of the Humboldt Broncos, but that shows how wide and how far the love came for a hockey team that brought the world together” (McGouran). It is so incredibly special the role sports plays in unifying people all around the globe. From worldwide tragedies like 9/11 to hardships like the pandemic, we have all been able to get through everything that is thrown our way simply through our love of sports.
LoRé, Michael. “The Importance of Sports amid the Coronavirus Pandemic Continues to Be Emphasized.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 19 May 2020, https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaellore/2020/05/19/the-importance-of-sports-amid-the-coronavirus-pandemic-continues-to-be-emphasized/?sh=7f42f5c330f6. Abrams, Jonathan. “Sport's Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and 'Manipulation'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Sept. 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html. McGouran, Rory. “'The Love Poured in' Broncos Brought the World Together.” DiscoverHumboldt, 4 Apr. 2019, https://www.discoverhumboldt.com/articles/the-love-poured-in-broncos-brought-the-world-together.
The sports world is one that notoriously brings people together and can give people a sense of comfort and belonging as many can relate to a team or league and build connections outside of sports based on a mutual respect. People who participate or have participated in sports know that the bond formed through hard work together as a team is one of the strongest possible. Sports are a way for people to escape from reality for a few hours and enjoy their time. These enjoyable moments are much needed sometimes, especially after national and local tragedies that have shocked communities to the core and left many grieving and hoping for good times to come. The tragic events of 9/11 left the city of New York and the entire United States in a speechless state of turmoil and grief, and it was eventually the sports world and the New York Mets specifically that brought a sense of peace and nationalism back to society in the U.S. They hosted their first home game in New York just 10 days after the events took place and won the game off a huge home run late in the game which ended up “providing a level of catharsis for many in a reeling city and country” (Abrams). The attacks on New York and the country left a hole in American hearts that was soon after partially filled by the sense of togetherness brought through a win for the Mets baseball team. Another instance of sports being an escape for people after tragedy came in March 2019, when terror attacks on a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand left the country and the world in a fog of confusion and grief, much like the feelings caused by the 9/11 attack on New York. The mosque attack was followed shortly after by a football match in New Zealand where players “joined in a pre-match huddle for a moment of silence to pay tribute to the victims. In the moment, rivalry and competition did not matter. In the moment, fans came together, regardless of the team they rooted for” (Ramsammy). People from both sides were able to put their differences behind them to feel for the greater good of the country and the world after the tragedy. Lastly, the Olympics are another event that instill nationalism in athletes and sports fans alike as they can root their country on in international competition. “The Olympic truce invites countries to pause conflicts and pledge to build a peaceful and better world through sport” (Powers). The 1980 games provided an example of this as the cold war was brought to the ice and the soviets were able to play the Americans in a more friendly battle then war, allowing both countries to root for their team and each other to put event outside of sports on hold for the time being.
Abrams, Jonathan. “Sport’s Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and ‘Manipulation.’” The New York Times, 12 Sept. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html. Powers, Kathleen. “Do the Olympics Promote Nationalism — and International Conflict? Here’s the Research.” Washington Post, 26 July 2021, www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/26/do-olympics-promote-nationalism-international-conflict-heres-research. Ramsammy, Andrew. “Sports World Offers Comfort, Healing after Tragedy.” Global Sport Matters, 30 Apr. 2019, globalsportmatters.com/culture/2019/04/29/sports-world-offers-comfort-healing-after-tragedy.
Nicole Clemons Sports have a huge impact on uniting people after national tragedies or times of hardship. Sports are something that brings people from all over together to enjoy a game they love. No matter if you’re sitting next to your biggest rival, you are all fans of the same sport, “There’s nothing quite like sports when it comes to bringing people together. Whether it’s a fierce rivalry, the Olympic games, or simply a small showing of sportsmanship, sports can solve conflicts, provide universal inspiration, or simply deliver distraction and entertainment if just for a small moment in time”(Feinstein). The first thing that came to my mind when reading the question was 9/11 and the Mets game against the Atlanta Braves in the first game since the attack. The game brought back a sense of normalcy during this hard time. A nation was shocked and scared, but all came together in New York to honor, celebrate and grieve. This game was about more than baseball in so many different ways. “Mike Piazza smacked a home run in the eighth inning that lifted the Mets to a 3-2 victory, providing a level of catharsis for many in a reeling city and country. “It was a spontaneous moment of people coming together,” Valentine, 71, said. “Can that happen again in a nation that is so divisive now that it feels that we’re at war within our boundaries”(Abrams). To be able to win this game in New York after the 9/11 attack is one of the greatest sports moments in history and shows how sports truly rallies everyone together during the toughest times. Another instance of sports bringing people together during times of hardship was during the 1936 Olympics. Track star Jesse Ownes was an African American athlete who was competing in the Olympics during Hitler’s reign. He faced many forms of racism throughout the games. Hitler was congratulating everyone who won but always had an excuse when it came time to congratulate Owens. When Owens was competing in long jump his German competitor Luz Long gave Ownes advice so he would not foul. Owens wins the gold medal and credits Luz for the win. This shows how sports pushed aside deeper issues between race and countries to come together to help a competitor in the sport both loved. Often times we see the Olympics as place where countries come together to compete not help each other, “The Olympic truce invites countries to pause conflicts and pledge to build “a peaceful and better world through sport.” But nationalism-fueled competition raises concerns about whether the games might spark tensions between countries. After all, the Olympics pit political adversaries against each other”(Powers)
Nicole Clemons cont The National Anthem also has a role in uniting people together during games. After the anthem is when many fans will cheer for their respective teams or add in special chants. During games after tragedies like 9/11 and the Boston Marathon these chants are silenced, or the crowd will all join together to sing the anthem showing the pride for their country and states after these incidents. Even rival teams join together to show support, “The coup de grace of that Red Sox game, though, came when Neil Diamond performed “Sweet Caroline,” a song traditionally played at Fenway Park, live for the fans in attendance. In another show of unity across Major League Baseball during the time following the Boston bombings, Major League ballparks across the country, including Yankee Stadium, played “Sweet Caroline” as a show of support”(Frye). Sports are the one thing that will always bring people together and most times it is over something that is more than just a game. Work Cited Feinstein, Paul. “30 Examples of Sports Bringing the World Together.” Stacker, 28 Jan. 2022, https://stacker.com/stories/4096/30-examples-sports-bringing-world-together. Abrams, Jonathan. “Sport's Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and 'Manipulation'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Sept. 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html. Powers, Kathleen E. “Analysis | Do the Olympics Promote Nationalism - and International Conflict? Here's the Research.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 26 July 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/26/do-olympics-promote-nationalism-international-conflict-heres-research/. Frye, Sean. “Sports Help Communities Heal after Tragedy.” The Collegian, 11 Sept. 2013, https://www.kstatecollegian.com/2013/09/11/sports-help-communities-heal-after-tragedy/.
Mikala Morris Sports has shown to have many purposes within our society, not only is it a way for individuals to feel a part of something bigger than themselves, a fun hobby or past time, but it can also be something that brings a community or nation together in the amidst of a hardship. There have been instances throughout our history, some earlier than others, where sports were a tool that brought the feeling of unity and a feeling of optimism for the future after dealing or while dealing with an unfortunate circumstance. The first example that comes to mind when looking at how sports play a role in uniting people after a national tragedy would be the New York Yankees first game back after the attack on 9/11. This game represented more than just a regular baseball game that day, it represented that although a tragedy just occurred only a few days ago that shocked our nation we’re still going to bounce back. This game was not only a symbol for the citizens of New York but also for the American people, because of this it united our country because individuals who either didn’t care about baseball or those who didn’t like the yankees were rooting for them to win due to the deeper meaning that was coming from this team taking the field after what just occurred. Casetellano and Rothman stated, “But for three nights in the Bronx, anxiety and gloom momentarily gave way for classic baseball and national pride, a unifying moment in a time of crisis”(2020). Another example that comes to mind was after the murder of George Floyd many members of professional sports teams such as Lebron James spoke out about racial inequality and police brutality, and how there needs to be a change in how people of color are being treated within America. This lead to many professional and collegiate teams releasing statements regarding how they stand behind their fellow athletes who are people of color. Many athletes even made their own nonverbal statement by choosing to kneel during the national anthem. Jose Castellanos mentioned, “During public national anthems, choosing to kneel makes a powerful and peaceful statement. More attention needs to be drawn to issues of racial violence, and these brave players need to be shown support in the most effective and peaceful way possible: taking a knee during the anthem” (2017). Those who choose to do were also signifying support and as a way to have their teammates back during such hard times.
Finally, an example would be the national anthem in general. According to Erik Bradley, “The song is about a battle in the War of 1812. The first documented time that it was played at an American sporting event came at a baseball game in 1862, during the Civil War. The tradition of playing it at sports events got a dramatic boost at the 1918 World Series, during World War I. And the tradition of playing it before games was popularized during World War II” (2021). Playing this song was a way to show patriotism and love for one’s country especially after being fought so hard for and is still played today because of the same values Brady, E. (2021, February 10). Why is the national anthem played before American sporting events? and when did it start? USA Today. Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2021/02/10/national-anthem-sports-why-played-mark-cuban-colin-kaepernick/6702871002/
Castellano, A & Rothman, C. (2020). How Baseball Helped Heal New York Post 9/11. ABC News. Retrieved Apr 19, 2022 from https://abcnews.go.com/US/fullpage/baseball-yankees-helped-york-heal-post-911-president-33663881
Castellano, J. (2017). The power of kneeling during the national anthem. The Brandeis Hoot. Retrieved Apr 19, 2020 from https://brandeishoot.com/2017/12/01/the-power-of-kneeling-during-the-national-anthem/
Sports present the opportunity for people to join together and mourn those lost from national tragedies and in times of hardship. In particular, athletes and coaches unite with one another to grieve the losses of loved ones and former teammates. Then, they use their losses as a source of motivation to be a better person and athlete. For example, after hearing about the tragic helicopter crash of former Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, the Lakers grew stronger as a team, and they became more unified. Former head coach Frank Vogel saw the direct impact that Kobe’s death brought to the entire organization. According to the Sporting News, Vogel said “we want to represent what Kobe was about more than anything…we’ve always wanted to make him proud and that’s not going to be any different here…we want to represent what he stood for” (Dorman). Later that year, the Lakers went on to make a run in the bubble and eventually were crowned as NBA champions for the season. Kobe’s death inspired the team to work and play harder because they wanted to do justice for the former superstar. Thus, the loss of Kobe played a major role in the Lakers’ success in 2020.
Another time when the sporting world came together was after the 9/11 attacks. Sports took a pause in New York after the tragic event for ten straight days. Then, the New York Mets welcomed the fans back to Shea Stadium on September 21st for a match against the Atlanta Braves. Once the national anthem started playing, the players, coaches, and fans all expressed their grief and emotion for the national tragedy. The emotions were also running high throughout the entire game. In the eighth inning, the Mets’ star catcher made the nation come together with one swing of the bat. In a New York Times article, it says “Mike Piazza smacked a home run in the eighth inning that lifted the Mets to a 3-2 victory, providing a level of catharsis for many in a reeling city and country” (Abrams). The home run created a sense of hope and togetherness. New York needed hope because all hope was lost after the attacks. Ultimately, Piazza’s game-winning home run brought the energy and excitement back into the city.
Lastly, sports help people become one when they are pushing a movement. Police brutality against black people was a major problem in the country that no one was discussing until former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem. In a matter of time, NFL players around the league joined Kaepernick in his efforts to make a statement in regard to police brutality. In a USA Today article, it explains that “he used the anthem as a moment of maximum impact to call attention to social injustice” (Brady). Due to Kaepernick’s efforts, it made people become acknowledged of the problems of police brutality and it strengthened the NFL community as a whole. Before games during the 2016 season, players would link arms and hold hands to show their unity as a team and organization. Since players were uniting with one another, they ended up becoming closer as friends and teammates. Therefore, sports create a platform where athletes can come together and express their emotions about hardship in the country.
Works Cited Abrams, Jonathan. “Sport's Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and 'Manipulation'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Sept. 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html. Brady, Erik. “Why Is the National Anthem Played before American Sporting Events? and When Did It Start?” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 10 Feb. 2021, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2021/02/10/national-anthem-sports-why-played-mark-cuban-colin-kaepernick/6702871002/. Dorman, Matt. “Lakers Have Grown Closer Together since Kobe Bryant's Death, Coach Frank Vogel Says.” Sporting News, 2020, https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/kobe-bryant-dead-los-angeles-lakers-frank-vogel/1smi3qfffozwa1wemigjaxcgua.
In times of crisis and disaster, sports can be unifying, serving as an event to tie together a population into a place of comfort when emotions are high and confidence is at its lowest. Throughout history, sports have played a role in helping people to come together and unite, beginning a healing process that allows for a distraction from reality in order to focus on the game. One example of sports bringing a needed boost in morale during a tragedy is after the 9/11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City in 2001. According to an article published in the New York Times by Jonathan Abrams, the New York Mets gave America a moment of “catharsis” on September 21st, in the first ballgame after the attacks, when Mike Piazza hit a home run that won the game for the Mets in dramatic fashion (Abrams). This was a moment that the New York population needed in the wake of a tragedy, and the platform of sports served a specific purpose to help mask the bigger problems. Piazza, a baseball player, could step into playing the role of a hero on a metaphorical scale, giving a grieving city a memorable moment and a reason to cheer by returning to the status quo and normalcy that was missing following the tragedy. Another example of sports and entertainment responding to hardship is tribute shows, especially in the vein of professional wrestling. According to an article published in Sports Illustrated by Dan Greene, in 1999, a professional wrestler named Owen Hart suffered an in-ring death during the WWF’s Over the Edge 1999 pay-per-view, prompting the promotion to stage a special television episode titled “Raw is Owen” in tribute (Greene). The episode allowed for fans and professional wrestlers alike to come together and pay tribute to the memory of Hart, who died in a freakish accident involving a stunt where he would be lowered from the ceiling as a superhero (Greene).
This was a healing moment for fans of the sport and the entire community of wrestlers in general, and serves as an example of how paying tribute to an athlete or performer through sports can be greatly uplifting, and fitting in the eyes of viewers as a proper eulogization. “Raw is Owen” was a celebration of Hart’s life, with videos playing of wrestlers breaking characters to discuss the impact Hart made on them, changing Raw into “a celebration” of Hart, rather than going through the event as usual (Greene). A third example of sports allowing people to come together in times of great tragedy is when the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were staged throughout the pandemic. According to an article published by Kathleen Powers in the Washington Post, despite concerns of the health crisis either canceling or pushing the Olympics off, a great show of sportsmanship and nationalism was on display as the Olympic games soldiered on, allowing for national pride to captivate citizens and viewers as well (Powers). Even with the concerns that nationalism could increase international conflict, a certain level of inspiration was on display by allowing the games to proceed, giving viewers around the world another distraction during a dark time in the global pandemic. This shows that a worldwide event like the Olympics can combine mindsets of different nations and backgrounds, allowing for sports to be a commonality on a global scale, even when faced with a difficult health crisis.
Works Cited Abrams, Jonathan. “Sport's Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and 'Manipulation'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Sept. 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html
Greene, Dan. “How Owen Hart's Death Changed The Way We Watch Wrestling.” Sports Illustrated, Sports Illustrated, 23 May 2019, https://www.si.com/wrestling/2019/05/23/wwe-owen-hart-death-20th-anniversary.
Powers, Kathleen. “Do the Olympics Promote Nationalism — and International Conflict? Here’s the Research.” Washington Post, 26 July 2021, www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/26/do-olympics-promote-nationalism-international-conflict-heres-research. .
Matthew Miller
ReplyDeleteIt may not seem like it, but sports play a much bigger role in uniting people after national tragedies than one might think. Everyone has a team they like, but people often fail to realize that even though you may be a fan of a different team, you are still a fan of the same sport. After the horrific tragedy of 9/11, baseball started to bring the city of New York back together. September 21st, 2001 was the first home game for the New York Mets since the tragedy on September 11th, 2001. The Mets were playing their biggest rivals, the Atlanta Braves. Although the two teams were still in a tight playoff race, this game was about more than just baseball. It was about to bring a sense of normalcy back to the city. Former Mets superstar catcher Mike Piazza "hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in the eighth inning off of Steve Karsay of the Braves to propel the Mets to a 3-2 victory in the first professional sporting event in New York after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. (SNY.tv 2018). This was the first major sports game in New York after the attacks, as the Yankees, Jets, and Giants all were on the road. Having the first game back end the way it did was unimaginable and still remains one of the greatest moments in sports history.
If you have ever been at a sports game, you have heard the national anthem be played before the start of the event. No matter the event, "For decades, Americans have stood for the national anthem and then sat down for a ballgame. From big-city stadiums to small-town high school fields, those broad striped and bright stars are the expected musical preamble to our ballgames." (Brady 2021). Before every football game that I played in high school, the national anthem, would play, and each time, it meant something. It was not just a song played before a game. It united everyone that was there. When the national anthem plays before a game, there is not a peep from the crowd as they are all united in honoring the United States of America. During the height of the Cold War between the U.S. and the USSR, "The Miracle on Ice" happened. There is still a lasting impact of the event as at the time, "The country was in a deep economic recession. Not to mention the unemployment and inflation rates were at a record high." (Biringer 2020). The United States of America were heavy underdogs against the Soviet Union but pulled out a victory in one of the greatest upsets in sports history. The Miracle on Ice did not end the Cold War, but it did give Americans a new sense of optimism. The city of Boston was met with absolute heartbreak because of the Boston Marathon bombing. However, the Red Sox played a significant role in helping the city of Boston recover. In the Red Sox's first home game since the bombing, a huge pregame ceremony was held to honor the victims and survivors of the bombing. It was a great ceremony that was "capped by an unforgettable speech from David Ortiz. The superstar slugger thanked the mayor, governor and Boston police department for their efforts in restoring order." (Penney 2020). The Red Sox were not supposed to be contenders that season but ended up winning the World Series, and I think part of the reason is that the players felt they had a chip on their shoulder for the season to show just much Boston was able to recover from this tragedy. Sports can bring people together, no matter whom they root for, which is one reason why sports are one of the best things in the world.
Works Cited
ReplyDelete17 years ago today: Mike Piazza's homer in first game in New York after 9/11 attacks. Sny.tv. (2018, September 21). Retrieved April 16, 2022, from https://sny.tv/articles/17-years-ago-today-mike-piazzas-homer-in-first-game-in-new-york-after-911-attacks
Biringer, B. J. (2020, February 18). 40 years later the miracle on ice still has a lasting impact. Last Word On Hockey. Retrieved April 16, 2022, from https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2020/02/18/40-years-later-the-miracle-on-ice-still-has-a-lasting-impact/
Brady, E. (2021, February 10). Why is the national anthem played before American sporting events? and when did it start? USA Today. Retrieved April 16, 2022, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2021/02/10/national-anthem-sports-why-played-mark-cuban-colin-kaepernick/6702871002/
Penney, S. (2020, April 15). Red Sox Memories: Returning to Fenway following tragic Boston Marathon bombing. BoSox Injection. Retrieved April 16, 2022, from https://bosoxinjection.com/2020/04/15/red-sox-memories-returning-fenway-following-tragic-boston-marathon-bombing/
Danielle Price
ReplyDeleteDr. Burns
MSS420
4/17/22
Blog 9
Sports play a huge role in uniting people after tragedies or during times of hardship. One major tragedy in which we see this is 9/11. The first thought that came to mind when reading the question to this blog was Mike Piazza. This is because shortly after the attacks on September 21st, the Mets hosted “their first game in New York since the attacks” (Sport’s Post-9/11). Piazza hit a homerun in the eighth inning to win the game for the Mets which made the score 3-2. This homerun made the crowd go insane. This meant so much to the people of New York and this win definitely united them. Further, it was known to help “lift a city – and a nation – reeling from unspeakable tragedy” (Lee). This game was huge, and Piazza’s homerun will forever be memorable. Going to a game in the city in which the attacks happened and experiencing a strong victory like that one was extremely uplifting. Afterwards Piazza stated that, “It was just this incredible release of emotion, and I think, you know, it became evidently clear that people just wanted to cheer about something" (Lee). However, former Mets manager Bobby Valentine questions whether the world can unite again through sports with controversial topics surrounding the industry now. He stated that “It was a spontaneous moment of people coming together,” wondering if moments like this will happen again (Sport’s Post-9/11).
The National Anthem is typically performed before sporting events. This song is special for our country and symbolizes what our country stands for. Further, “the song is about a battle in the War of 1812. The first documented time that it was played at an American sporting event came at a baseball game in 1862, during the Civil War” (Brady). This tradition of playing it before games was strengthened “at the 1918 World Series, during World War I. And the tradition of playing it before games was popularized during World War II” (Brady). This tradition helped create a feeling of unity due to the surrounding circumstances. During those hardships, people were separated from their families, and fearing the unknown. Emotions and stress levels were at an all-time high during the world wars. Therefore, hearing the National Anthem at a sporting event would help people feel a sense of patriotism and pride (Brady).
Lastly, on March 15th in 2019 the mosque terror attacks in New Zealand occurred. A man walked into “a place of worship and killed dozens of people” (Oates). Following these attacks, “the Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers joined in a pre-match huddle for a moment of silence to pay tribute to the victims” (Oates). In that moment, competition did not matter, as the feeling of unity flooded the hearts of everyone in the stadium (Oates). It is clear that sports play a huge role in creating a sense of unity when tragedies and times of hardships occur. This is a safe place for fans to turn to when experiencing struggles within themselves, as a city, or even as a nation.
Works Cited
Brady, Erik. “Why Is the National Anthem Played before American Sporting Events? and When Did It Start?” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 10 Feb. 2021, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2021/02/10/national-anthem-sports-why-played-mark-cuban-colin-kaepernick/6702871002/.
Lee, Jason. “Piazza's Post-9/11 Hr Brought 'Incredible Release of Emotion' to NY, Nation.” MLB.com, MLB, 22 Feb. 2022, https://www.mlb.com/news/mike-piazza-post-9-11-home-run-shea-stadium.
Monday, Katelyn Oates |. “Sports World Offers Comfort, Healing after Tragedy, Disasters.” Global Sport Matters, 29 Apr. 2019, https://globalsportmatters.com/culture/2019/04/29/sports-world-offers-comfort-healing-after-tragedy/.
Sport’s Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and ‘Manipulation’ - the New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html.
Shannon Goria
ReplyDeleteSports in general bring athletes from all different places and cultures together for the love of the game. Not only do they bring athletes together, but sport fans congregate to watch their favorite teams and players compete. So when it comes to a national tragedy or a historical hardship that the country or even the world is facing, sports tend to use their platform to further unite individual's together to show that we stand as one. For example, after the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in NYC in 2001, “thousands gathered in that same wounded, smoking city for Game 3 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks” with “President George W. Bush schedules to deliver the game’s first pitch” (Robinson, 2021). In fact, this pitch by America’s current president was said to show America’s strength in that we as a country were rallying. Robinson described how ESPN even produced a documentary about this “First Pitch” as the noise from the giant crowd in the Yankee Stadium with President Bush giving a quick thumbs up to the crowd and national television in his bulletproof vest before he threw a strike was a symbol of hope in that we as a country were not alone. After that pitch the crowd did not hesitate in cheering “USA” to show a sense of pride for our country and Robinson even recalled that the 9/11 Memorial & Museum even created a section dedicated to “Comeback Season: Sports After 9/11” (Robinson, 2021). In fact, a memorial service to honor the missing and dead from 9/11 was also held at the Yankee stadium called “A Prayer for America” and Robinson even addressed that the New York Mets even wore NYPD hats to show their gratitude for the courage of such heroes.
Another national tragedy that united people includes the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that shook Japan. The New York Times addressed that “athletes and coaches created a support network to help hundreds of athletes that were affected by the tsunami” and “helped reconnect athletes with their families and neighbors” (Monday, 2019). As a result, athletes everywhere came together to support one another and get their fellow competitors and sports fans back to the safety of their homes and families. Monday (2021) also stated that after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, New Orleans not only lost their stadium for the Saints, but they began to lose hope and spirit. However, thanks to the Saints’ new head coach Sean Payton and quarterback, Drew Brees, when the Saints retuned back to their newly repaired stadium with their new and improved team, it helped electrocute the city as the team’s success sent a hopeful message to the residents of New Orleans that recovery after adversity is possible (Monday, 2021).
Shannon Goria (Continued)
ReplyDeleteIn addition, the national anthem is played before every large sports competition and event in order to honor those fighting for the freedom of our country. As a result, everyone at the game, athletes, coaches, and fans, come together to show a sense of pride to be a part of such a free country. After World War 2, “most teams continued to play the anthem in the surge of postwar patriotism” (Brady, 2021). And even though it has begun to be a political debate with football player Colin Kaepernick starting the movement of taking a knee for black rights, it still brings American athletes and fans together today. Another personal example that I have on how sports bring people together happened just two weeks ago when I traveled to Virginia for a track and field meet. When my team first arrived around 10:00pm on a Thursday night, we heard reports that three male athletes from Milligan University were hit by a car, with two in critical condition and one killed on site. As a result, track and field athletes across the country were posting to their Instagram and Facebook in memory of him and to emphasize the importance of safe driving. Unfortunately, the incident involved a hit and run and the driver was found to be intoxicated. At the meet the next day, the stadium had a moment of silence for the athlete that had passed and his team. Even though many of us did not know him personally, this incident still united us as one front as we grieved for him and his family and team and honored his time as a young man and collegiate athlete.
References
Brady, E. (2021, February 10). Why is the national anthem played before American sporting events? and when did it start? USA Today. Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2021/02/10/national-anthem-sports-why-played-mark-cuban-colin-kaepernick/6702871002/
Monday, K. O. (2019, April 29). Sports world offers comfort, healing after tragedy, disasters. Global Sport Matters. Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://globalsportmatters.com/culture/2019/04/29/sports-world-offers-comfort-healing-after-tragedy/
Robinson, D. (2021, September 11). Common ground: When sports brought us together. Deseret News. Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://www.deseret.com/9-11/2021/9/10/22657654/how-tragedy-of-9-11-helped-americans-find-common-ground-when-sports-brought-country-together
Charlie Windels
ReplyDeletePart 1
Although many people see sports as just a game they often forget that sports can bring people together and are often a form of coping when in times of hardship. Over recent years tragedies both large and small have been recognized by many sports leagues. One article I was reading titled Sport’s Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and ‘Manipulation’ by Jonathan Abrams talks about some of the positives as well as negatives of having sporting events shortly after a nationwide tragedy. One of the positive quotes that stood out to me was “On Sept. 21, 2001, the Mets hosted the Atlanta Braves in their first game in New York since the attacks. Mike Piazza smacked a home run in the eighth inning that lifted the Mets to a 3-2 victory, providing a level of catharsis for many in a reeling city and country” (Abrams). This quote explains how sports can be seen as just a game but oftentimes they bring memorable and heartwarming moments that can assist us in moving forward, but also remembering those who may have lost their lives in tragedies throughout the United States.
The next article I read was also extremely interesting and talked about some topics I had never really thought about before. The national anthem in sports although a reminder of past wars and tragedies also provides a sense of unity as well as energy to sporting events. The article titled Why is the National Anthem Played Before American Sporting Events? And When Did It Start? Erik Brady, quotes “The song is about a battle in the War of 1812. The first documented time that it was played at an American sporting event came at a baseball game in 1862, during the Civil War. The tradition of playing it at sports events got a dramatic boost at the 1918 World Series, during World War I. And the tradition of playing it before games was popularized during World War II” (Brady). Overall I thought it was interesting to hear this backstory and I think this goes to show how important sports are as a competitive yet peaceful way of coming together.
Part 2
ReplyDeleteLastly, after doing some further research on this topic I chose to do some research of my own on post 9/11 sporting events. I found an article titled Finding Strength After 9/11: Patriots Football, Foxboro and the Andruzzi Family by Mike D’abate which talked about how sporting events bring people together to mourn after tragic events. In addition, the article also focused on some of the pre-game ceremonies, moments of silence, as well as memorable moments of honor towards those who may have lost their lives in a tragic event. The article explains one moment in particular about the Andruzzi family and their heroic efforts towards 9/11 during the first NFL game since. The article explains “It was a moment that represented resilience, honor, and unity — the same values by which the Andruzzi family had always lived” (D’abate) Overall I think sports have been recognizing these tragedies and addressing them very well. In almost all of the sports leagues when something tragic happens they make sure to hold a moment of silence or honorable recognition for the people involved. I think this will continue in the future and will help sports tackle other social issues in the process.
Works Cited
D'Abate, Mike. “Finding Strength after 9/11: Patriots Football, Foxboro and the Andruzzi Family.” Sports Illustrated New England Patriots News, Analysis and More, Sports Illustrated New England Patriots News, Analysis and More, 11 Sept. 2021, https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/finding-strength-after-9-11-patriots-football-foxboro-and-the-andruzzi-family.
Brady, Erik. “Why Is the National Anthem Played before American Sporting Events? and When Did It Start?” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 10 Feb. 2021, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2021/02/10/national-anthem-sports-why-played-mark-cuban-colin-kaepernick/6702871002/.
Abrams, Jonathan. “Sport's Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and 'Manipulation'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Sept. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html.
Sports play a large role in uniting people after national tragedies and times of hardships. They allow people of differences to find a common ground and something to root for when times seem bleak. More importantly, they serve as a distraction to what is really going on, and even if it is just for a limited time, allows people to live in a reality where the most important thing is a win for their team. Evidence of the power of sports can be seen all throughout history, in several different sporting events. There is no denying the power that sports have for people. One specific example where sports have unified people after tragedy is MLB after 9/11. New York City was distraught after the 9/11 attacks. People were lost and could not make sense of what happened. Days later, New Yorkers went to Met’s game and witnessed Mike Piazza hit a go-ahead homerun that, “provided a level of catharsis for many in a reeling city and country” (Abrams). That homerun not only gave the Mets a win, it gave the entire city something to cheer about and root for. In that moment they were all able to hold up their American flags and give a message to the world that New York was not defeated, and sports gave them the avenue to do so.
ReplyDeleteAnother example of sports bringing people together after tragedy is when the Wellington Phoenix played the Western Sydney Wanderers shortly after the mosque terror attacks in New Zealand. Although they are rivals, fans and players came together to remember those who passed and pay tribute. Roy Krishna, Wellington striker, scored during the game, but instead of doing his usual celebration, he opted to honor the Muslim community (Oates). He went into a Muslim Sajdah prayer position as a way of paying tribute and support to those who were hurt. The gesture was extremely emotional but was extremely meaningful to those who were hurt. Soccer has such a large platform in New Zealand. For people to see that they are seen, and being thought of, on a national level by their heroes, meant everything to them, and was yet another example where sports united a group of people after a tragedy.
A third historical example of sports united people after times of hardship is how football was able to unite people when the Black Lives Matter movement was gaining steam. The country was in a state of extreme divisiveness. People were disagreeing on whether sports should be brought into politics, or if they should be left out. As the Black Lives Matter protests began to gain more traction, a large group of people turned to sports as a distraction for what was going on. Although this is controversial, and many believe that sports should not serve as a distraction, it still did for many. According to Joe Buck, “’people looked at [football] as a respite from the updates on their phones the political banter back and forth on CNN and Fox’” (Serazio 276). People were able to use football as a place where people of all races could come together, forget their differences, and cheer for their favorite team to win. Overall, sports have taken the role of unifying people after and during times of hardships and tragedy.
DeleteAbrams, Jonathan. “Sport's Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and 'Manipulation'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Sept. 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html.
Oates, Katelyn. “Sports World Offers Comfort, Healing after Tragedy, Disasters.” Global Sport Matters, Global Sports Matters, 29 Apr. 2019, https://globalsportmatters.com/culture/2019/04/29/sports-world-offers-comfort-healing-after-tragedy/.
Serazio, Michael. “Fair Game.” The Power of Sports: Media and Spectacle in American Culture, New York University Press, New York, 2019, p. 276.
Emily Sweeney
ReplyDeleteIf I asked you to think about sports and tell me what comes to mind, I’m sure I would hear many things like different types of sports, different sports teams, or memorable sports events. However, what nobody thinks about when it comes to sports that may be the best aspect of them is the role that they play in uniting people after national tragedies or times of hardship. Sports are so much more than games played or entertainment. They are an avenue for people to come together and create a world of support that is unbreakable.
Sports have been unifying people after tragedies throughout history. Some examples of this are 9-11, the March 15th Mosque Terror Attacks and Hurrican Katrina. After 9-11, New York as well as the whole country were in a state of panic and distress. Ten days after the attack, sports, specifically baseball in New York, helped bring a sense of normalcy back to the country. Jonathan Abrams stated, “On Sept. 21, 2001, the Mets hosted the Atlanta Braves in their first game in New York since the attacks. Mike Piazza smacked a home run in the eighth inning that lifted the Mets to a 3-2 victory, providing a level of catharsis for many in a reeling city and country” (Abrams). This unified catharsis was something that was needed for these people to be able to move on and continue going through life after the horrific 9-11 attacks. Baseball was able to unite the country around a sport and provide that much needed normalcy and sense of relief to citizens. After the March 15 Mosque Terror Attacks in New Zealand, sports aso helped to unify and provide comfort feelings of unease, grief, and confusion. Katelyn Oates states, “At Wellington Regional Stadium, the Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers joined in a pre-match huddle for a moment of silence to pay tribute to the victims. In the moment, rivalry and competition did not matter. In the moment, fans came together, regardless of the team they rooted for” (Oates). Once again, sports was used as a way for people to unite and cope with the struggles that they were facing in the world. A final example of sports being a unifying factor after facing hardships would be in football after Hurricane Katrina. Oates discussed this by saying, “When Katrina struck in 2005, it not only wiped away infrastructure, but it also decimated the hope and spirit of the people of New Orleans. The team [New Orleans Saints] and the people of New Orleans needed something to rally around as recovery efforts lagged and the realization the city would never be the same settled in. As the 2006 season began, the Saints returned home to a repaired and refurbished stadium. The team carried that energy through the rest of the season, finishing 10-6 in the regular season and reaching the first NFC Championship game in team history. The team’s success gave the people of New Orleans something to be proud of. It sent a hopeful message to the residents that if the Saints could rebuild and find success after adversity, then they could as well” (Oates). The New Orleans Saints and football as a sport were able to bring back hope to the city after this hardship tore them down.
Overall, sports play a large role in uniting people after hardships and tragedies occur. This is even further proven by the National Anthem. According to Erik Brady, “The song is about a battle in the War of 1812. The first documented time that it was played at an American sporting event came at a baseball game in 1862, during the Civil War. The tradition of playing it at sports events got a dramatic boost at the 1918 World Series, during World War I. And the tradition of playing it before games was popularized during World War II” (Brady). Even the act of the National Anthem being played at sporting events came from playing it at a sporting event during a war in order to bring people together and unify a broken country through sports. This just amplifies the proof of how sports play a large and important role in unifying people especially after hardships and tragedies are faced.
DeleteWorks Cited
Abrams, J. (2021, September 10). Sport's post-9/11 patriotism seen as unifier, and 'manipulation'. The New York Times. Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html
Brady, E. (2021, February 10). Why is the national anthem played before American sporting events? and when did it start? USA Today. Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2021/02/10/national-anthem-sports-why-played-mark-cuban-colin-kaepernick/6702871002/
Monday, K. O. |. (2019, April 29). Sports world offers comfort, healing after tragedy, disasters. Global Sport Matters. Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://globalsportmatters.com/culture/2019/04/29/sports-world-offers-comfort-healing-after-tragedy/
Not only do sports help unify millions of people around the world for their love of sports, that unification sports bring becomes ever more prominent after a national tragedy or in times of hardship. We can all think of many examples that sports helped play a role in uniting people after national tragedies and hardships especially in the time the world is in right now when almost a year ago, we had no sports what so ever due to covid sweeping the nation. Sports is never not on TV. There is only two days a year sports are not on TV so it was definitely a sad time for all of us sports fans. According to the article The Importance Of Sports Amid The Coronavirus Pandemic Continues To Be Emphasized by Michael LoRé, LoRé summarizes the importance of sports and its athletes and how in a trying time like this one, athletes are role models and they have the platforms to help unite people. “Athletes are role models in society and kids listen to what athletes say more than they listen to their parents. Let’s utilize that in time of need like this one in order to send the right message, in order to do the right thing, in order to unite and bring the best out of people in a time of uncertainty and adversity. That’s a chance we have right now. Instead of looking out for our own or pointing fingers or criticizing or being more separate than we were, it’s a time we can really come together. It's an opportunity. I hope we don’t waste it” (LoRé). LoRé further states “sports are more than entertainment. They are more than an escape from reality. They are a platform for change. A platform to further conversation. A platform to help, inspire, educate and guide” (LoRé). Although sports may be back in full swing now, these words are something we all can take with us for the future.
ReplyDeleteThe second event in history that I decided to look at is one we all know all too well, hitting home a lot stronger for me and others as I had family in the city that day and my uncle who was part of the Secret Service at the time, was down at Ground Zero that day. September 21, 2001 will be remembered as the first time after 9/11 that a baseball game was played in New York since the attacks with the Mets hosting the Atlanta Braves. During the eight inning of the game, catcher Mike Piazza hit a home run helping the Mets win a 3-2 victory over the Braves. As stated in the article Sport’s Post 9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and ‘Manipulation’ by Jonathan Abrams “The Mets 3-2 victory provided a level of catharsis for many in a reeling city and country. It was a spontaneous moment of people coming together” said Bobby Valentine former LMB player (Abrams, Valentine). It is the simplest things like hitting a home run and winning for the first time after a worldwide tragedy that makes the role of sports so special.
The third event that comes to mind for me that sports played an important role in unifying people after a national tragedy some may not know as well as a hockey fan may know. It was April 6, 2018 when the news of the Humboldt Broncos struck heartstrings around the world especially for hockey players and fans. The Humboldt Broncos are a Canadian junior hockey team out of Humboldt, Saskatchewan. On April 6, 2018 the team was headed to a playoff game when a semi-trailer truck hit their coach bus filled with 29 members of the Humboldt Hockey Team, when the driver of the semi failed to yield at a flashing stop sign killing 16 people and leaving 13 with severe and life- threatening injuries. It brings tears to my eyes as I write this and remember just how horrifying the news of the accident was. Though the hockey community may be a small one, the amount of love and support the Broncos received was immeasurable. The article ‘The Love Poured In’ Broncos brought the World Together by Rory McGouran, summarizes just how immense the support and love for this team and sport are. Donations from all across the world came pouring in. The Go Fund Me raised over 15 million dollars with donations coming in from over 80 countries. Spotlight Sport and Corporate Wear, a company in Humboldt had worked for 36 days straight averaging 14 hours per day printing over 12,000 shirts being sent as far as Japan, Finland, and Dubai raising $304,209 to the Humboldt Strong Community Foundation. Charity games were organized and small businesses blew up selling things in remembrance of this special team. ‘Sticks out for the Broncos’ blew up all over social media which became a way for people to show they were thinking of the Broncos by leaving sticks outside their doors, some even lighting candles too. The NHL gave moments of silence all around the league. “It’s nearly impossible to include ever campaign or small gesture of individuals doing their part to send love the way of the Humboldt Broncos, but that shows how wide and how far the love came for a hockey team that brought the world together” (McGouran). It is so incredibly special the role sports plays in unifying people all around the globe. From worldwide tragedies like 9/11 to hardships like the pandemic, we have all been able to get through everything that is thrown our way simply through our love of sports.
ReplyDeleteLoRé, Michael. “The Importance of Sports amid the Coronavirus Pandemic Continues to Be Emphasized.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 19 May 2020, https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaellore/2020/05/19/the-importance-of-sports-amid-the-coronavirus-pandemic-continues-to-be-emphasized/?sh=7f42f5c330f6.
Abrams, Jonathan. “Sport's Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and 'Manipulation'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Sept. 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html.
McGouran, Rory. “'The Love Poured in' Broncos Brought the World Together.” DiscoverHumboldt, 4 Apr. 2019, https://www.discoverhumboldt.com/articles/the-love-poured-in-broncos-brought-the-world-together.
Jason Vent
ReplyDeleteBlog 9
Sports Nationalism
Burns
The sports world is one that notoriously brings people together and can give people a sense of comfort and belonging as many can relate to a team or league and build connections outside of sports based on a mutual respect. People who participate or have participated in sports know that the bond formed through hard work together as a team is one of the strongest possible. Sports are a way for people to escape from reality for a few hours and enjoy their time. These enjoyable moments are much needed sometimes, especially after national and local tragedies that have shocked communities to the core and left many grieving and hoping for good times to come. The tragic events of 9/11 left the city of New York and the entire United States in a speechless state of turmoil and grief, and it was eventually the sports world and the New York Mets specifically that brought a sense of peace and nationalism back to society in the U.S. They hosted their first home game in New York just 10 days after the events took place and won the game off a huge home run late in the game which ended up “providing a level of catharsis for many in a reeling city and country” (Abrams). The attacks on New York and the country left a hole in American hearts that was soon after partially filled by the sense of togetherness brought through a win for the Mets baseball team. Another instance of sports being an escape for people after tragedy came in March 2019, when terror attacks on a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand left the country and the world in a fog of confusion and grief, much like the feelings caused by the 9/11 attack on New York. The mosque attack was followed shortly after by a football match in New Zealand where players “joined in a pre-match huddle for a moment of silence to pay tribute to the victims. In the moment, rivalry and competition did not matter. In the moment, fans came together, regardless of the team they rooted for” (Ramsammy). People from both sides were able to put their differences behind them to feel for the greater good of the country and the world after the tragedy. Lastly, the Olympics are another event that instill nationalism in athletes and sports fans alike as they can root their country on in international competition. “The Olympic truce invites countries to pause conflicts and pledge to build a peaceful and better world through sport” (Powers). The 1980 games provided an example of this as the cold war was brought to the ice and the soviets were able to play the Americans in a more friendly battle then war, allowing both countries to root for their team and each other to put event outside of sports on hold for the time being.
Abrams, Jonathan. “Sport’s Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and ‘Manipulation.’” The New York Times, 12 Sept. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html.
Powers, Kathleen. “Do the Olympics Promote Nationalism — and International Conflict? Here’s the Research.” Washington Post, 26 July 2021, www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/26/do-olympics-promote-nationalism-international-conflict-heres-research.
Ramsammy, Andrew. “Sports World Offers Comfort, Healing after Tragedy.” Global Sport Matters, 30 Apr. 2019, globalsportmatters.com/culture/2019/04/29/sports-world-offers-comfort-healing-after-tragedy.
Nicole Clemons
ReplyDeleteSports have a huge impact on uniting people after national tragedies or times of hardship. Sports are something that brings people from all over together to enjoy a game they love. No matter if you’re sitting next to your biggest rival, you are all fans of the same sport, “There’s nothing quite like sports when it comes to bringing people together. Whether it’s a fierce rivalry, the Olympic games, or simply a small showing of sportsmanship, sports can solve conflicts, provide universal inspiration, or simply deliver distraction and entertainment if just for a small moment in time”(Feinstein).
The first thing that came to my mind when reading the question was 9/11 and the Mets game against the Atlanta Braves in the first game since the attack. The game brought back a sense of normalcy during this hard time. A nation was shocked and scared, but all came together in New York to honor, celebrate and grieve. This game was about more than baseball in so many different ways. “Mike Piazza smacked a home run in the eighth inning that lifted the Mets to a 3-2 victory, providing a level of catharsis for many in a reeling city and country. “It was a spontaneous moment of people coming together,” Valentine, 71, said. “Can that happen again in a nation that is so divisive now that it feels that we’re at war within our boundaries”(Abrams). To be able to win this game in New York after the 9/11 attack is one of the greatest sports moments in history and shows how sports truly rallies everyone together during the toughest times.
Another instance of sports bringing people together during times of hardship was during the 1936 Olympics. Track star Jesse Ownes was an African American athlete who was competing in the Olympics during Hitler’s reign. He faced many forms of racism throughout the games. Hitler was congratulating everyone who won but always had an excuse when it came time to congratulate Owens. When Owens was competing in long jump his German competitor Luz Long gave Ownes advice so he would not foul. Owens wins the gold medal and credits Luz for the win. This shows how sports pushed aside deeper issues between race and countries to come together to help a competitor in the sport both loved. Often times we see the Olympics as place where countries come together to compete not help each other, “The Olympic truce invites countries to pause conflicts and pledge to build “a peaceful and better world through sport.” But nationalism-fueled competition raises concerns about whether the games might spark tensions between countries. After all, the Olympics pit political adversaries against each other”(Powers)
Nicole Clemons cont
DeleteThe National Anthem also has a role in uniting people together during games. After the anthem is when many fans will cheer for their respective teams or add in special chants. During games after tragedies like 9/11 and the Boston Marathon these chants are silenced, or the crowd will all join together to sing the anthem showing the pride for their country and states after these incidents. Even rival teams join together to show support, “The coup de grace of that Red Sox game, though, came when Neil Diamond performed “Sweet Caroline,” a song traditionally played at Fenway Park, live for the fans in attendance. In another show of unity across Major League Baseball during the time following the Boston bombings, Major League ballparks across the country, including Yankee Stadium, played “Sweet Caroline” as a show of support”(Frye). Sports are the one thing that will always bring people together and most times it is over something that is more than just a game.
Work Cited
Feinstein, Paul. “30 Examples of Sports Bringing the World Together.” Stacker, 28 Jan. 2022, https://stacker.com/stories/4096/30-examples-sports-bringing-world-together.
Abrams, Jonathan. “Sport's Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and 'Manipulation'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Sept. 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html.
Powers, Kathleen E. “Analysis | Do the Olympics Promote Nationalism - and International Conflict? Here's the Research.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 26 July 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/26/do-olympics-promote-nationalism-international-conflict-heres-research/.
Frye, Sean. “Sports Help Communities Heal after Tragedy.” The Collegian, 11 Sept. 2013, https://www.kstatecollegian.com/2013/09/11/sports-help-communities-heal-after-tragedy/.
Mikala Morris
ReplyDeleteSports has shown to have many purposes within our society, not only is it a way for individuals to feel a part of something bigger than themselves, a fun hobby or past time, but it can also be something that brings a community or nation together in the amidst of a hardship. There have been instances throughout our history, some earlier than others, where sports were a tool that brought the feeling of unity and a feeling of optimism for the future after dealing or while dealing with an unfortunate circumstance. The first example that comes to mind when looking at how sports play a role in uniting people after a national tragedy would be the New York Yankees first game back after the attack on 9/11. This game represented more than just a regular baseball game that day, it represented that although a tragedy just occurred only a few days ago that shocked our nation we’re still going to bounce back. This game was not only a symbol for the citizens of New York but also for the American people, because of this it united our country because individuals who either didn’t care about baseball or those who didn’t like the yankees were rooting for them to win due to the deeper meaning that was coming from this team taking the field after what just occurred. Casetellano and Rothman stated, “But for three nights in the Bronx, anxiety and gloom momentarily gave way for classic baseball and national pride, a unifying moment in a time of crisis”(2020). Another example that comes to mind was after the murder of George Floyd many members of professional sports teams such as Lebron James spoke out about racial inequality and police brutality, and how there needs to be a change in how people of color are being treated within America. This lead to many professional and collegiate teams releasing statements regarding how they stand behind their fellow athletes who are people of color. Many athletes even made their own nonverbal statement by choosing to kneel during the national anthem. Jose Castellanos mentioned, “During public national anthems, choosing to kneel makes a powerful and peaceful statement. More attention needs to be drawn to issues of racial violence, and these brave players need to be shown support in the most effective and peaceful way possible: taking a knee during the anthem” (2017). Those who choose to do were also signifying support and as a way to have their teammates back during such hard times.
Finally, an example would be the national anthem in general. According to Erik Bradley, “The song is about a battle in the War of 1812. The first documented time that it was played at an American sporting event came at a baseball game in 1862, during the Civil War. The tradition of playing it at sports events got a dramatic boost at the 1918 World Series, during World War I. And the tradition of playing it before games was popularized during World War II” (2021). Playing this song was a way to show patriotism and love for one’s country especially after being fought so hard for and is still played today because of the same values
ReplyDeleteBrady, E. (2021, February 10). Why is the national anthem played before American sporting events? and when did it start? USA Today. Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2021/02/10/national-anthem-sports-why-played-mark-cuban-colin-kaepernick/6702871002/
Castellano, A & Rothman, C. (2020). How Baseball Helped Heal New York Post 9/11. ABC News. Retrieved Apr 19, 2022 from https://abcnews.go.com/US/fullpage/baseball-yankees-helped-york-heal-post-911-president-33663881
Castellano, J. (2017). The power of kneeling during the national anthem. The Brandeis Hoot. Retrieved Apr 19, 2020 from https://brandeishoot.com/2017/12/01/the-power-of-kneeling-during-the-national-anthem/
Dylan Sommer Part 1
ReplyDeleteSports present the opportunity for people to join together and mourn those lost from national tragedies and in times of hardship. In particular, athletes and coaches unite with one another to grieve the losses of loved ones and former teammates. Then, they use their losses as a source of motivation to be a better person and athlete. For example, after hearing about the tragic helicopter crash of former Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, the Lakers grew stronger as a team, and they became more unified. Former head coach Frank Vogel saw the direct impact that Kobe’s death brought to the entire organization. According to the Sporting News, Vogel said “we want to represent what Kobe was about more than anything…we’ve always wanted to make him proud and that’s not going to be any different here…we want to represent what he stood for” (Dorman). Later that year, the Lakers went on to make a run in the bubble and eventually were crowned as NBA champions for the season. Kobe’s death inspired the team to work and play harder because they wanted to do justice for the former superstar. Thus, the loss of Kobe played a major role in the Lakers’ success in 2020.
Another time when the sporting world came together was after the 9/11 attacks. Sports took a pause in New York after the tragic event for ten straight days. Then, the New York Mets welcomed the fans back to Shea Stadium on September 21st for a match against the Atlanta Braves. Once the national anthem started playing, the players, coaches, and fans all expressed their grief and emotion for the national tragedy. The emotions were also running high throughout the entire game. In the eighth inning, the Mets’ star catcher made the nation come together with one swing of the bat. In a New York Times article, it says “Mike Piazza smacked a home run in the eighth inning that lifted the Mets to a 3-2 victory, providing a level of catharsis for many in a reeling city and country” (Abrams). The home run created a sense of hope and togetherness. New York needed hope because all hope was lost after the attacks. Ultimately, Piazza’s game-winning home run brought the energy and excitement back into the city.
Dylan Sommer Part 2
ReplyDeleteLastly, sports help people become one when they are pushing a movement. Police brutality against black people was a major problem in the country that no one was discussing until former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem. In a matter of time, NFL players around the league joined Kaepernick in his efforts to make a statement in regard to police brutality. In a USA Today article, it explains that “he used the anthem as a moment of maximum impact to call attention to social injustice” (Brady). Due to Kaepernick’s efforts, it made people become acknowledged of the problems of police brutality and it strengthened the NFL community as a whole. Before games during the 2016 season, players would link arms and hold hands to show their unity as a team and organization. Since players were uniting with one another, they ended up becoming closer as friends and teammates. Therefore, sports create a platform where athletes can come together and express their emotions about hardship in the country.
Works Cited
Abrams, Jonathan. “Sport's Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and 'Manipulation'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Sept. 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html.
Brady, Erik. “Why Is the National Anthem Played before American Sporting Events? and When Did It Start?” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 10 Feb. 2021, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2021/02/10/national-anthem-sports-why-played-mark-cuban-colin-kaepernick/6702871002/.
Dorman, Matt. “Lakers Have Grown Closer Together since Kobe Bryant's Death, Coach Frank Vogel Says.” Sporting News, 2020, https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/kobe-bryant-dead-los-angeles-lakers-frank-vogel/1smi3qfffozwa1wemigjaxcgua.
Clever Streich
ReplyDeleteIn times of crisis and disaster, sports can be unifying, serving as an event to tie together a population into a place of comfort when emotions are high and confidence is at its lowest. Throughout history, sports have played a role in helping people to come together and unite, beginning a healing process that allows for a distraction from reality in order to focus on the game. One example of sports bringing a needed boost in morale during a tragedy is after the 9/11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City in 2001. According to an article published in the New York Times by Jonathan Abrams, the New York Mets gave America a moment of “catharsis” on September 21st, in the first ballgame after the attacks, when Mike Piazza hit a home run that won the game for the Mets in dramatic fashion (Abrams). This was a moment that the New York population needed in the wake of a tragedy, and the platform of sports served a specific purpose to help mask the bigger problems. Piazza, a baseball player, could step into playing the role of a hero on a metaphorical scale, giving a grieving city a memorable moment and a reason to cheer by returning to the status quo and normalcy that was missing following the tragedy. Another example of sports and entertainment responding to hardship is tribute shows, especially in the vein of professional wrestling. According to an article published in Sports Illustrated by Dan Greene, in 1999, a professional wrestler named Owen Hart suffered an in-ring death during the WWF’s Over the Edge 1999 pay-per-view, prompting the promotion to stage a special television episode titled “Raw is Owen” in tribute (Greene). The episode allowed for fans and professional wrestlers alike to come together and pay tribute to the memory of Hart, who died in a freakish accident involving a stunt where he would be lowered from the ceiling as a superhero (Greene).
Clever Streich Part 2
ReplyDeleteThis was a healing moment for fans of the sport and the entire community of wrestlers in general, and serves as an example of how paying tribute to an athlete or performer through sports can be greatly uplifting, and fitting in the eyes of viewers as a proper eulogization. “Raw is Owen” was a celebration of Hart’s life, with videos playing of wrestlers breaking characters to discuss the impact Hart made on them, changing Raw into “a celebration” of Hart, rather than going through the event as usual (Greene). A third example of sports allowing people to come together in times of great tragedy is when the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were staged throughout the pandemic. According to an article published by Kathleen Powers in the Washington Post, despite concerns of the health crisis either canceling or pushing the Olympics off, a great show of sportsmanship and nationalism was on display as the Olympic games soldiered on, allowing for national pride to captivate citizens and viewers as well (Powers). Even with the concerns that nationalism could increase international conflict, a certain level of inspiration was on display by allowing the games to proceed, giving viewers around the world another distraction during a dark time in the global pandemic. This shows that a worldwide event like the Olympics can combine mindsets of different nations and backgrounds, allowing for sports to be a commonality on a global scale, even when faced with a difficult health crisis.
Works Cited
Abrams, Jonathan. “Sport's Post-9/11 Patriotism Seen as Unifier, and 'Manipulation'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Sept. 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/sports/sports-patriotism.html
Greene, Dan. “How Owen Hart's Death Changed The Way We Watch Wrestling.” Sports Illustrated, Sports Illustrated, 23 May 2019, https://www.si.com/wrestling/2019/05/23/wwe-owen-hart-death-20th-anniversary.
Powers, Kathleen. “Do the Olympics Promote Nationalism — and International Conflict? Here’s the Research.” Washington Post, 26 July 2021, www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/26/do-olympics-promote-nationalism-international-conflict-heres-research.
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