Readers react to sports' role after attacks
From the Page 2 mailbag
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Readers react to sports' role after attacks From the Page 2 mailbag | ||||
| On Wednesday, Page 2 asked for sports fans' opinions about the role of sports in the wake of Tuesday's tragic events in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Many reacted to the opinions of Page 2 columnists Ralph Wiley, Jim Caple and Hunter S. Thompson, while others simply expressed horror over the disasters themselves. All of the letters were sent before the NFL announced Thursday that it would not play games this weekend. After receiving more than 600 e-mails, here are some of the best:
At this time in the world people are questioning everything, why this had to happen, who is to blame, is anyone really safe? There are no real answers for these questions, at least none that will be completely satisfactory. I have personally been struggling to deal with them, I've been to church, I've been to donate blood to try and help, I've sat in quiet contemplation -- and still peace just wasn't there. As I read the article by Ralph Wiley, I was stunned. What he said seemed to make sense at a time when nothing else did and I believe hit the nail on the head in his assessment of the athletes on the planes -- those who stopped the two flights, in Pittsburgh and D.C. from reaching their intended targets. Sports aren't about winning and losing, not about scores or handicaps, they are about people pushing themselves beyond their bounds, they are about men and women with determination and strength, competing and working with one another for a common goal. No one ever remembers the details of a blowout game or a tournament that was a foregone conclusion; it is the matches where there are two opponents who give their best that we remember. Sports brings out the best in people; that is why we sit rooted to our TVs, and rise and fall with our teams. We root for those who represent the best of what we could hope to become, the Michael Jordans, the Joe Montanas, the Mia Hamms. I truly believe that there was someone on those two planes who realized in enough time what was going on and found the courage to step up against an impossible situation and do what they could, to push themselves beyond their limits. They exemplify the athlete's will. I believe it is for this reason that sports should continue. Yes, there should be a mourning period, but the quicker America can see people they can cheer for again and look up to and watch strive to better themselves and to believe in, the better off we all will be, and perhaps the healing will leave a slightly smaller scar. Whether or not you choose to print this, just writing it has made a difference to me.Kevin Gray Manchester, N.H.
Every day at lunch for a few minutes I take a break from work and I read Page 2. I read for a laugh, a smile, a light moment. Today I read Page 2 and I cried, like someone who has had everything taken away from them. I cried because Ralph Wiley's and Jim Caple's words underscored the importance of what has happened and what we must do. We must go on, move forward, never forgetting and knowing that, although some aspect of out lives as Americans will have changed forever, there are things that will remain the same, etched in the permanence of our collective American consciousness. Whether they are in the classroom, the end zone or huddled in the back of a plane on a cell phone, we will always have our heroes. We will never forget, but we will move forward. Thank you, Page 2.K. Nanji Philadelphia
I am wondering about the connection of sports and tragedy, and the role it plays in our healing. And I am not sure that the games need to be played, that 60-yard spirals are the medicine that heals this nation. It still doesn't feel right to me, when we know that bodies are lying in the ground down the road from me, to worry about first downs and interceptions. It definitely didn't feel right to me that ESPN felt the need to air something on the role that sports plays in all of this, especially when the tragedy was still just hours old. Sports is a collection of games, and on a day like Tuesday, there was no place for games. Sports seems to rarely know its place in society these days. And we are responsible for that. Derek Jeter makes more money that probably an entire school district full of teachers. Vince Carter just signed to secure a salary larger than a whole police force. Anna Kournikova earns more losing tennis matches than the men filling the seats in maybe 100 fire trucks. Is something out of sync? I think so. And maybe this incident, this moment in history is an opportunity to place sports where it belongs, in the background. And yes there still can be father-and-son catches in the park and Wrigley Field day games, and Super Bowl gatherings, but today, and this weekend, I think we could do without all of it. Yes, I agree that we need to continue, to show these terrorist that they cannot shut down America, and that our way of life, the ordinary aspects of our lives, must continue. But when one person dies, we mourn. We attend funerals. We give away the tickets we have to go see the Giants play the Cowboys. We pay our respects. When part of our nation dies, when more than 4,000 people are still missing, when the mayor of this city reads off a list of not only 94 bodies found, but 70 body parts, we must mourn. We must pay our respects. We must. Maybe I am too close, maybe I am without perspective, but somehow to me it feels wrong in this one. Down the road, where the ambulances, and police cars drive down toward the former Twin Towers, the people of this city stand there and cheer to give encouragement, to say thank you, keep going. To me that is where the ovation is needed. Not inside Joe Robbie Stadium, or Lambeau Field. And yes, perhaps we need a diversion, but maybe in this world where we have a blink-length attention span, and always the TV remote in one hand, it's not about being able to look away. Maybe this time, during these steps in September, maybe we need to keep watching, attend a candlelight vigil, or write a letter, or send flowers, or tell someone we love them, or cheer for a fireman, or a police officer. Because down in that rubble, it's been sudden death for days. They say that time heals all wounds, and I don't think that clock is broken up into four quarters or nine innings. Thoughts from this broken city. Stephen Palgon New York
After reading Ralph Wiley's column on Page 2 this morning, I was overcome by a sense of pride in being an American. I felt a sense of pride in the courage that I believe people on those planes most likely showed. I feel a sense of pride for those people trying to help, who lost their lives. I feel a sense of pride that at a time when America seems its weakest, we band together and become strongest. In a time like this, I realize just how proud I am to be an American. It's a shame that people had to die, before I realized what a great country this is. I am sure our lost heroes died because they did realize what it meant to be an American.Tim D'Lauro Philadelphia
We need to play NFL football Sunday. I cannot think of a better way to thumb our noses at the terrorists and prove our togetherness and resilience as a nation. We need to show the world that our country will not be allowed to come to a screeching halt and be shut down. If we do, it is only adding to the chance of this happening again, because it is showing that the attacks were successful and can bring us to our knees. It is not a matter of sports being more important than life (that is an obvious "given," as Jim Caple mentioned), it is a matter of proving our unity and pride. If one feels there just won't be the emotion required to attend or play a football game, take a minute to imagine the singing of our national anthem at each of the games Sunday. That moment, when the anthem is collectively sung at each stadium across the nation, has the potential of being one of the most emotional and unifying moments in our country's history.Eric Gruber Rock Island, Ill.
In graduate school, I spent some time doing research on the benefits sporting events offer society in times of need. The results of studies by sports psychologists around the nation (including the pre-eminent author in the field, Daniel Wann of Western Kentucky University), indicate that sporting events help people to relieve stress and escape the pressures of everyday life through vicarious conflict resolution (e.g. offering a dichotomous outcome to a not-so-dichotomous world). In addition, sports allow people to "bask in the reflected glory" of their teams/favorite players, thereby improving their self-esteem and confidence. Feel like you could use some of that? In an Instant Message conversation I had with a friend in New York City on Wednesday morning, we both agreed that Tuesday, in particular, Tuesday night would have been easier had we had the distraction of rooting for our favorite teams and taking solace in sport. That said, along with the above information, I tend to agree with Wiley. Sports are and will be an integral part of the healing process. God bless.Brad Densen Denver
The attack was not an attack to take over our country, but an attack on our way of life. Few things symbolize that more than our sports world. America's pastime of baseball and the truly American sport of football are either in their prime or gearing into it. What better way to show the world, and especially those soulless cowards who do not understand us, that we will not be afraid than by continuing the games as soon as possible. To stop now would only show them that they have won.Jason Chloupek Denver
Ten minutes before the start of the terrorist attacks on New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, I was expressing my biggest concern at the time with two co-workers: the demise of the Red Sox. It is all different now. We are a strong country. We now need sports to help us normalize our lives. Now I realize, finally, that is what sports should be for. Not as the most important thing in defining life. ESPN has done a great job with this story, treating it with compassion and class and making me and many others realize what is important, and where sports fit into life. Paul Magnolia, Del.
Of course the NFL should play this weekend. It seems so obvious to me that terrorism is about striking fear into the hearts and minds of the victims. The intended effect is to disrupt their lives -- emotionally and practically. The world plays right into the hands of these cowards by disrupting our lives for any period of time (more than simply assuring safety, of course). The world must go on, to send the message that was sent at the '72 Olympics: We will not be intimidated. We have taken their best shot. It did not leave us whole, but we're still standing. The sooner we move back towards "normal," the more we express this.Dan Vargo Germantown, Md.
Your question of the day asks, "Should the NFL play this weekend?" The answer should be a resounding "Yes!" This isn't the callous response of a sports-addicted fool. This is the reaction of a sad U.S. citizen who believes that altering lifestyles and creating an atmosphere of doom and fear is precisely what the individuals responsible for this tragedy intended. Whether we like it or not, our lives are forever changed by the events of Sept. 11. But it is our option how we react to this event. We must mourn the loss of life. We need to come together and ease the pain of all affected, both directly and indirectly. Yet we cannot allow this to be our lone reactions to such a dastardly act. As a nation, we must resolve to stand together and deny those responsible the pleasure of seeing their plans reach total fruition. We need to return our lives to as close to normal as possible. The goal of this evil plan was to change the "American" way of life. Instead, we must dedicate ourselves to showing the world that, although our hearts are broken, our spirit remains strong. Don't let the bastards win!Charles Bentley San Jacinto, Calif.
In the wake of such a tragedy, such a display of pure evil, America needs something to pick our heads back up. Something to take us out of the dumps. For me personally, however ignorant it may sound to anyone else, I need a last-second field goal, an extra-inning game, a no-hitter, anything to get my mind off of this and to get rid of this nauseous feeling. Granted the safety of our public is tops on my list and everyone else's, and I don't think sports will, in any way, shape or form, help this. But a distraction wouldn't hurt anyone. A return to normal life is something that America needs ASAP to feel secure again. And a day on the couch with my dad (who numerous times has taken flight 11 from Boston's Logan Airport to Los Angeles for work) watching football on Sunday is exactly what I need right now, and I'm sure it's what many others need as well.Mike Faiella Boston
Comparisons of the NFL playing after President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated and the NFL possibly playing this Sunday is like comparing apples with oranges. Yes, I think the NFL should have postponed the games after JFK was killed. But look at the facts: JFK's assassination was not an act of terrorism, and we know exactly who did it (sort of). But with Tuesday's tragedy, we have no idea who did it and if there's even more to come! So holding any sporting events, even the NFL, could prove costly and dangerous. All it does is create one massive target of thousands of sitting ducks for the culprits who committed Tuesday's attack. Alex Porterfield Columbus, Ohio
I would just like to thank Ralph Wiley for his article. Sports are a religion, and religion helps us heal. Once the sports world resumes, we will all begin to heal. I agree that the true athletes need to be admired and thanked. Especially all the New York City police officers and firefighters who have lost their lives in attempts to save others. Or those who, as Mr. Wiley speculates and I agree, became "athletes" to prevent even greater tragedy. Not being a religious or strongly patriotic type, I feel that it's time for America to be America. To do what we do best. Pray because we all lost someone Tuesday, and then move on, like only Americans can. Build monuments to those we have lost, but the greatest monument we can build is a continuation of the American way of life. And sports are a huge part of us. If America is to stand tall in the wake of this tragedy, sports is a perfect place to begin. Sports allow an escape, and right now we could all use a moment to escape. (I even found myself checking my fantasy football team Tuesday, when I had had enough of the day's reality.) Thanks again, to Mr. Wiley, and for ESPN for allowing us to read, respond and put into words exactly how we are feeling. We will heal, and I know that sports will help me.Ryan Triffitt North Conway, N.H.
At a time when we as a country need to stand behind our leaders and support their actions, it saddens me that Hunter Thompson still feels the need to belittle George W. Bush and his father. Show a little class and put aside your political leanings.
Hunter Thompson advises his readers not to say anything that will give aid and comfort to the enemy ... just after claiming that our President is a "baffled" "goofy child" who doesn't know anything. For Chrissakes, Thompson, listen to yourself. This is a war. Your loopy hyperbole is usually fun, but this isn't the time for it. Mike New York
Adam Pimentel New Bedford, Mass.
On Oct. 2, the U.S. men's soccer team will take the pitch against Jamaica in a World Cup qualifier in Foxboro, Mass. I urge everyone attending this game to stand and sing. As a sign of solidarity, as a sign of patriotism, as a sign of defiance to the perpetrators that America and Americans will never be swayed!P.J. Connolly Reno, Nevada
I so desperately want to watch a baseball game tonight, a football game this weekend. I will watch a televised Scrabble match if it will allow me, however briefly, to stop crying and dying inside and focus on something, anything, else. I want to talk about pennant races and home run chases. About overrated football teams and Heisman Trophy candidates. About golfers playing for our country. About Dennis Miller and "Monday Night Football." But I know that I can't. Logistically, it seems impossible to gather all the football players from around the country and get them prepared (mentally, physically and emotionally) to play a game that requires 100 percent focus in order to stay healthy. And that's without even approaching the ideas of stadium security, etc. Especially with the New York Giants playing at home! Baseball has teams in constant travel, a task difficult enough to coordinate even in the best of times. Trying to do so right now is next to impossible. I just don't see it happening. But I want it to so badly!Steve Harper La Habra, Calif.
Just read Ralph Wiley's column, and I thought of the same scenario last
night, in regards to an athlete/hero, who may have aborted Flight 93 to help
prevent another tragedy. As Ralph wrote, we may never know what took place,
but I have faith that it did happen that way. Sports are an important part of
our culture, and has Ralph put it in the right perspective. Play ball!
Scott Danfield Mantua, N.J.
I personally believe that all sports should be canceled for the rest of the
week. Right now we should not be worrying about if Tennessee is playing
Florida, or if Miami is playing Washington. What we should be doing is
finding out what cowardly person was responsible for the attacks on the World
Trade Center and the Pentagon, and making sure that person is dealt with
accordingly.
I agree with R-Dub. We need sports at this time. I'm not trying to downplay the loss of family members and loved ones -- my sister works at the Pentagon (she's doing fine), but we as a nation cannot shut down. I believe that's what the enemy (whoever he is) would want. We need sports to take our minds off the tragedy. Let the government do its job, and let the rest of us get back to our lives as much as possible. Again, I don't mean to be insensitive to those who lost loved ones in the plane crashes -- I was worried for hours about my sister before I finally got to talk to her. I just believe we need to recover as quick as possible. It is said that when you nearly drown you should get back in the water. As R-Dub put it, "This is one of those times." James Coates College Park, Md. If you're gonna cancel the NFL games, show the players doing some praying during the time they would be playing. If the NFL can show why they're canceling the game, instead of just canceling the game ... I think that would be a lot more powerful. Yusaku Shinya Palo Alto, Calif.
Life is a game with winners and losers. Although we mourn and suffer the horrible losses from Tuesday's attacks, we can rejoice in the many acts of bravery and self-sacrifice made by our countrymen. The emergency personnel, police and firemen who willingly ran into hell to save perfect strangers are heroic in mythical proportions. The sheer possibility of brave citizens aboard the flight that crashed outside Pittsburgh, fighting down their cowardly hijackers and diverting the plane in order to save the White House should inspire all Americans and fill our hearts with pride and the resolve that this battle against terrorism is a game that we must win.Anthony Goldsby North Little Rock, Ark.
I don't agree with this article. First of all, we as a nation need to come together and figure out a way to solve this problem of terrorism. We don't need to watch a bunch of athletes run around the field and make fools out of themselves when they score. This is a time for mourning and reflection about what has just taken place in this country. It is not time to get drunk and party because your team won. Jacob Helton Cary, N.C.
I have no opinion as to when pro sports should resume, but I do have a comment regarding Hunter S. Thompson's article. In his article, Thompson makes many negative comments regarding President Bush (baffled, goofy child-President, etc.), and intimates that the U.S. will now begin indiscriminately bombing innocent people in foreign countries. Perhaps President Bush will be allowed to join Mr. Thompson in his "fortified compound near Aspen, Colo." On the other hand, maybe the President will actually do something about the terrorist problem and not bury his head in the sand, as Mr. Thompson appears to have done. The single most telling paragraph from Mr. Thompson's article is this: "I am confused."Jim Hanson Ferndale, Wash.
Right now we are all still in a state of shock. Right now we need something that can pull us away from what we are all seeing on our TVs. The shock and the horror is too much to continually watch. It will force us into a shell, one of isolation and fear. We have had enough fear. What we need right now is someone or something to help with this mess. A distraction. It's not just sports today, even though I know the idea of watching Ichiro standing in the batter's box, tugging on the seam of his sleeve would make me feel a lot better or at least distract me. The games need to go on, but leagues shouldn't discount the security of its fans and its teams and the families of all those teams. But as we have heard all the leaders say, we don't want these people to know that they have shaken us and that we have effectively changed the way that we live because of an attack. So the games should go on, taking every imaginable security option. The thing about it is, we should all know that we are never completely safe. But we need these entertainers. We need something for all the people who don't enjoy watching sports. Right now we need anyone who can do anything to take our minds off these attacks. We need Bob Dylan right now. We need REM right now. We need Pearl Jam right now. Public Enemy. Puff Daddy. We need everyone. Not just for entertainment, but for the healing that would be involved in getting a large group of people together in one place for a positive event.Dave Wakeman Seattle Please talk about sports. On a normal day, ESPN is the refuge from reality; on these days that role is more important. Many of us need diversion. You are it. Please fill that role. Understandably, talking about current sports seems awfully trivial. Talk about the upcoming Olympics or other issues that aren't tied down to a single date within the past or next couple of weeks. But whatever you do, give us something else to think about.Dave Patterson Pullman, Wash. Ralph Wiley's story on the untold heroisms from Tuesday was amazing. According to some reports, it looks like you might have been right: Give those guys a Heisman, or a Congressional Medal of Honor, or First-Team All-American award ... better yet, give them a Vezina ... that was a hell of a save.Mike Shac British Columbia
We do not need to cancel our nation's sporting events! Yes, we have just endured a tragedy as never seen in our country. Today I am at work, just as many of you are at work. Getting on with my life. Yes, I am hurting deeply, and my thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. But should we stop sports from happening? I think not. What is to say that something is more likely to happen at a game today, as compared to next month? Are we going to cancel all sporting events for the next year? For the next five years, so that we can feel safe? This is life. You never know what is going to happen. Please send these players back to work. If something bad is going to happen sometime down the road, it's going to happen without us being able to stop it. We as a people need something to keep us at ease, to keep us from going mad and wanting to hurt people. Sports is that elixir that is going to help.Matt B Chicago
Cancel all games through Sept. 23, to show support for, and focus on, the families and friends of victims, and rescue workers, to show we have our priorities straight and send a message that will reinforce what President Bush said: "We will hunt down and punish all those responsible." I'm a big fan of sports. I love to watch games on television and listen to them on the radio, but I think we'll all be better for taking a timeout through this weekend -- players and fans alike. It will be good for our souls to focus on prayer, solidarity with the families and rescue, the rescue efforts and plans to get the buggers responsible. And if thinking of and doing acts in support of those who need our help isn't reason enough, the message sent to the ultimate targets that we're focused now on helping and praying, and figuring out who's responsible, will finish off the beginning of losing our naiveté and innocence. For one weekend we put aside our games and become serious and reflective, coast to coast, border to border. Barbara South Pasadena, Calif. Dear brothers and sisters. I, as the rest of you and all over the planet, never thought to even see this coming. Never in our lifetimes or even our past generations could we have predicted or even bear the events that have happened to you. My country, Honduras, has always been supported by your country at many levels. It has been painful for us here to see the level of tragedy, despair, and disaster unleashed on your homeland and people. Yes, we cannot help you on the more material and logistics levels necessary to support you on this crisis; yet, we feel that the human spirit can transcend any known barrier and I think that by giving you the following words, you can, at least, strive through this calamity: "Help and give love to each and everyone of you. ... Gain the strength you may have lost due to the scars left by terror helping and caring for all of you. ... Never give up. ... Think and have God by your side. ... Pray for the lost, innocent souls that left early yesterday ..." I could go on forever, and I know these might be simple words put on paper that even might be tiring to hear or read, but let me finish by saying that you are one of the finest, blessed and amazing bunch of people on the planet who have always succeeded at any level or imperative conditions. ... You have taught to the world how magnificent and great at heart and spirit you can be. Do not disappoint us all! We're watching over you! God bless you ... From the bottom of my heart.Omar Bustamante Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Ross Levine Bothell, Wash. If sports was like it once was and athletes played not just for the money and believed in more than themselves, then yes sports would be a great stress reliever. But so many athletes only care about themselves not the everyday people who take the time to spend their hard-earned money to watch them go out and compete. It's only a few athletes left who probably see the hurt and pain that the people of New York and Washington are feeling and the other half of the athletes are just thinking about themselves. Yvonne Moseley Baltimore
I keep reading things like, "the games should go on" and that we need a diversion. I mean sports in a whole is just entertainment things that grown men and women do that we used to do as kids, except they get paid for it. For people to continue to push the issue about the games should continue, are showing a major disrespect to the enormity and catastrophe of what just transpired. These games we watch will continue regardless, so why not show human compassion to those thousands of people who are either injured or who have lost their lives, and just shut it down. We have more of a responsibility to move on normally as a nation as a people than as a fan or spectator of sport.Chaka Edmonds Minneapolis Len Pasquarelli's column on the main ESPN site says it all. Anyone who thinks NFL games "must go on" this weekend is an unfeeling, brain-dead idiot who makes me embarrassed to be a sports fan.Mike Fimea Scottsdale, Ariz. Wiley is right -- the NFL must play Sunday, and baseball, college football and NHL camps and everything else, too. It's like that kid being picked on in the playground, you know, that defiant little bugger, outsized, maybe outnumbered, getting hit, but always replying "didn't hurt" or "can't hurt me." Sooner than later, his tormentors quit -- he is saved by his courage and pride -- he was hurt, but did not give in. Or it's that old man, whose neighborhood has seen better days -- the brunt of vandalism, violence or ridicule. Yet, somehow, he handles it all with a quiet dignity, and is never deterred from replacing that which was broken, walking where he knows danger lies -- living his life as best he can. He is hurt, but does not give in. Today this is America. While the politicians and military find the enemy, and punish him, the rest of its citizens must go on with life as best they can, as soon as they can: hurt, but not giving in. Yes, sports must go on -- life must go on. If we do otherwise, they win. They can't win.Derrek Fahl Saskatoon, Saskatchewan "Maybe a stewardess who was stabbed but not dead yet tried to scratch the eyeball out of a head, ... Maybe some guy deadheading to S.F., some flight attendant, some gay guy ..." Are you serious? You actually put this to print? I understand that the intentions behind Ralph Wiley's thought, but there's an amount of decorum and class, and most certainly, respect, that should be used when dealing with this tragedy. To write articles based on speculation and the imagination of a grown man who speaks in broken grammar and slang is inconsiderate. To print it, that's just irresponsible.Joel Campbell Yellowknife, Northwest Territories |
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