September 11th: What Role Does Sports Play in Healing?
September 10, 2011 · Nick Hansen · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
September 11th, 2001 was a confusing and terrible day for all of America.
The sports world was not immune to the effects of the attacks. Games were postponed for days after the terrible attacks. Tributes were played, moments of silence were held, and flags were flown proudly when our professional athletes got back to work.
The World Series proved to be the big sports moment this country needed in the wake of such unspeakable horror. The Yankees made it and it felt right. It was a feel good moment for a city in need of some good news. Seeing President Bush throw out that first pitch of Game Three made everything seem all right, if only at least for a little while.
Let’s fast forward ten years. Where has happened to the sports world? Sports Illustrated writer Michael Rosenberg hit the nail on the head when he classified it as such:
Bigger, greedier, and a reflection of our society.
The innocence of the sports has all but vanished since 2001. Roger Clemens, who started that Game Three for the Yankees, has been thoroughly disgraced by charges of steroid use and a messy perjury trial.
Brett Favre is no longer the golden boy of the NFL, done in as much by his sexting as his stubborn refusal to retire gracefully.
Michael Jordan is long gone, but not after embarking upon his own ill-advised comeback with the Washington Wizards. His anointed successor LeBron James, has lost his hero status (at least temporarily).
So with performing enhancing drugs, lockouts, and disgraced heroes, why is the sports world still relevant?
One word: moments. There are very few things in this world that have such clear cut seminal moments as sports. We know a home run is a home run. We know to cheer for our favorite team. We know the winners and losers. We know when we see a moment that will live on forever.
Sports are also one of the few areas where our nation can collectively experience joy and sorrow and not have vicious debate about who was wrong or right. (Skip Bayless aside). It was difficult to root against the Saints after their Super Bowl win (sorry Colts fans). Landon Donovan’s goal against Algeria caused us all to celebrate the beauty of soccer. Michael Phelps quest for gold kept all Americans captivated. These are things that keep us enthralled.
I went through a period of reflection a few weeks ago and I decided I wanted to pursue a career as a sportswriter. I racked my brain trying to find justification to try and turn a hobby of mine in to a paid career. I decided to do it once I realized how much joy sports brought me, as well as other people. Putting peoples indescribable joy, sorrow, and excitement in to words is something I relish. Sports gives us a place to turn to from the confusing aspects of “real life”.
On the tenth anniversary of 9/11, remember to take a moment to reflect. Remember those who died in the attacks and those who died ensuring that events like this never happen again.
The sports would is not perfect. It has ungodly amounts of money, ego, and immaturity. However, when the national anthem is played, the lineups are announced, and the ball is put in to play we, for a moment, understand. And maybe, that’s what we need ten years later.
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