The public and private lives of almost every American were dramatically shaken a year ago on September 11th. We began to question our own values, and often times looked to our surroundings for answers, for hope, or for a place to grieve.
It was in this atmosphere that sports and professional athletes stepped to the forefront of public attention and gave America something to rally around. It was none other than former New York City Mayor Rudi Giuliani who said “Sports was able to get our minds off the terrible, horrific events and give us perspective, and then allow our minds to come back, maybe in a more realistic and stronger way.” From George Bush’s first pitch at the World Series to the September 11th tribute at Halftime of Superbowl XXXVI, sports have played an essential role in America’s healing process.
Before last September 11th, we might have sooner thought of our country’s professional athletes as jaded prima donnas rather than American heroes. But over the past year, we have come to know them on a much more personal level. Instead of shielding their feelings behind a veneer of celebrity, athletes have stepped forward to help our country remember its identity, and in doing so, they have shown themselves to be more humble and sensitive than we have traditionally given them credit. Images of Mike Piazza, Terrell Owens or Michael Jordan struggling to fight back the tears during the national anthem are worth more than a thousand pre-rehearsed lines from President Bush about the sanctity of America.
Seeing famous American icons, whom we respect for their determination and composure, struggle publicly with the same issues that we have struggled with has been therapeutic in its own way. It is these images of modern day American heroes dealing with our communal loss that has united us and has continued to rally our patriotic spirit.
Sports have always brought people, both fans and players, together. But since September 11th, they have done much more. They have reminded a troubled country of its national identity. As cheesy as it may sound, it has been the work ethic, determination, and courage of many professional athletes that have drawn the attention of America back to its favorite pastimes and away from darker days. Sports have become the stage on which our heroes prove their worth before the whole country-so it should come as no surprise that they are the ones we look to for inspiration.
Together, we take pride in their successes and feel disappointment in their failures. This is why politicians like President Bush and Mayor Giuliani have gone out of their way to show support for the MLB and NFL. It is not simply because these leagues market themselves as an essential part of America, but because we Americans regard them as a great source of entertainment, inspiration, and solidarity.
A year ago, people from all different walks of life came together in stadiums and ballparks across the country. In unison, thousands sang the national anthem along with songs like “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful.” People rose to their feet at the Salt Lake City Olympics, the Final Four, and the Superbowl, when the tattered American flag, found amongst the ashes at Ground Zero, was raised.
Many of these same people will pause in respect at ballparks around the country this September 11th when every MLB stadium will hold a moment of silence during the games. All of this goes to show that over the past year, sporting venues have supplemented churches, temples, synagogues and other houses of healing to help bring America back to its feet.
I know that what I have just described is not a wholly accurate portrait of America’s sports scene. Athletes and their supporters don’t always behave like one happy family. Players are still not shy about going on strike to ensure that their multimillion dollar salaries are protected. Fans themselves are still willing to boo a quarterback who throws an untimely interception. However, it has come to my attention that since September 11, 2001, both fans and athletes have understood the meaning of being united and have demonstrated its importance in their collective effort to help bring our country back to normal. Today, a year later, we can look back and be glad to have witnessed such a stirring renewal of the American spirit.