Ten years ago, after a shocking lapse in security resulted in the World Trade Center in New York being destroyed, the NFL and Major League Baseball canceled their games for a week or two while the country mourned.
Ten years later, the events of September 11, 2001 are commemorated by both leagues in ceremonies across the country to honor those who died that day. Because the attacks occured in New York City, the NFL games between the Giants and Redskins and Cowboys and Jets were marked by players and coaches who wore 'NYPD' or 'FDNY' caps, as if they're really police officers and firefighters (which they're not). There were also American flags and ribbons dotting the stadiums. On TV, advertisers such as Anheuser-Busch and State Farm used the anniversary to put love letters to New York in their messages.
How has 9/11 changed sports? Stadiums and arenas now have security check points, searching paying customers for explosives or unapproved bottles of liquor. Major League Baseball shoves the playing of "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch down our throats, replacing the time-honored "Take Me Out to the Ball Game".
You may have also noticed that going to a ball game has become a lot more patriotic, even if it makes some fans uncomfortable. There is no anti-war sentiment in the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. In fact, the sports leagues seem to be glorifying those wars. Active-duty soldiers are rewarded with free passes and other perks not available to Joe Fan. On TV, they're saluted in commercials and in live remotes from the war zones during the holidays.
Commentators who take time out from criticizing players and officials to salute "our troops" for all the "tremendous sacrifices" they do sound as if they're auditioning for Rush Limbaugh's, Bill O'Reilly's and Sean Hannity's jobs. Is it any coincidence that Fox has TV contracts with the NFL and MLB?
Sports is certainly not going to glorify the case of Pat Tillman, the former Arizona Cardinals football player who quit the game to join the army. Most everyone admired him for his brave and patriotic decision, while others thought he was nuts. But when Tillman was killed in Afghanistan under mysterious and less-than-heroic circumstances, it didn't fit the conservative narrative.
Sports used to be the place where you could get away from it all. Since 9/11, not only has there been a climate of fear in the country, but the pro sports leagues and the TV networks that enable them have been pushing a political agenda that appeals mainly to Fox News-watching conservatives. It is not a welcome sight to those of us who buy the tickets, or turn on the TV. We just want to watch the game.
As the events of 9/11/01 recede farther into our history, so should the tendency of fans and commentators to shout 'USA!', 'USA!' after every score. Remember, folks, it's only a game.
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