Pretty good argument. It seems any “diversion” we would enjoy seems to be outweighed by the national mood, security concerns, and the mindset of the players.
The only thing I disagree with is cancelling this week’s games altogether and not playing them later. I cannot believe the playoffs, including the SuperBowl, can’t be pushed back one week, even if you have to reschedule the Big Game into February somehow. The thought that somehow you cannot rally everyone involved to reschedule because of these incredible events is incomprehensible.
I just heard Aerosmith is postponing their concert in Phildelphia . . .tommorow night. At what point do you think it WILL be appropriate to go to concerts, attending sports,etc??
Any further postponement of such trivial things like football is giving the terrorists another victory. I would think such an American institution such as Football (as well as Baseball) would want to play as soon as possible. Not to provide a diversion, but to make a statement. To say that these acts will not bring the American spirit down, that terrorism will not win. And with every game played, and every moment of silence given, and every rendition of the Star Spangled Banner we proclaim a kind of victory, as trivial as it may be. I say play on, the sooner the better.
BTW, to my understanding, the NFL didn’t even postpone games for Pearl Harbor.
I’ve heard some really, really good debates for both sides of the argument today, I’m suprised by the lack of response to the topic actually.
On one hand, there is the sending the message that terrorism will not disrupt American life argument, and even suggestions that some sports are “jumping on a bandwagon” to be PC this weekend. And the best way to get over such a trauma is to jump back into your normal routine ASAP. I also fear by this weekend there might be a distasteful backlash by Americans who really just want to escape from all this and try and have a little fun.
On the other hand, there is the issue of respect. I also have concerns about security and transportation issues with the airlines. I wonder if it isn’t more important to make sure people stranded at airports get home before we figure on how to get the New York Jets to Oakland. Also isn’t playing sports sending another message: what happened in New York is not important? Lee Corso, the ESPN college football commentator really ripped into some of the college football conferences who have chosen to play this weekend for this reason, and if you heard it, it was a hell of a diatribe.
I agree that the games should go on, to show that our spirit is still intact.
However, I think I personally would feel a bit nervous right now being in a large prominent structure with 50,000 other people.
And live TV cameras.
If you get my drift.
I think it is appropriate and almost necessary that they play if they are convinced that the security and logistics (getting players to their destinations) of the situation can be worked out.
I believe it is absolutely necessary to resume our lives to as close to normal as is possible as quick as is possible.
I believe it would be beneficial to cancel all NFL games for this season and future seasons. The money/resources saved should be directed toward cultural and educaional activities that expand the knowledge, understanding, and compassion of the American people. If the horrible tragedy that took place yesterday could inspire such a shift in the tremendous resources dedicated to NFL games, I believe that substantial good would be derived for the American people.
Okay, meanwhile back here in the real world, I say “play ball!” Not today (which they didn’t) but tomorrow or thereafter. I assume the games would start with a moment of silence or other acknowledgement, but with that addition, I think they should go on. Life must go on, and living it as normally as possible is itself an act of defiance.
Not at all. Yes, this is a extraordinary catastrophe, but IMO it’s a bit of a stretch to say that anyone who wants to focus on something else for any length of time is an apathetic bastard. Not playing football will have absolutely no benefit for the families of those who died.
Plus I totally agree that cancelling games will help to show that terrorists can make us their bitch anytime they can sneak weapons past airport security.
The NFL has decided that no games will be played this weeked nout of repect for hte tragedy. No decision on whether the games will be made up has been made.
I understand this although I don’t necessarily agree with it. This tragedy was a willful act of terror to try and make us cower instead of live. By allowing this to dictate, if even for a short period, how we live our lives then they have won. I get a little bit sad and even angry when I hear folks say they don’t want to fly, they are scared to go into a highrise. I understand, and I am not being critical. But if that happens then the cowards who perpertrated this act of mass murder are winning and it gives encouragement to continue to chip away at our resolve.
What Tretiak said, and I personally hate football, so you can imagine how happy I am going to be if there is no football at my university this saturday.
But…I do not know. I think by this weekend(2-3 days ahead) time enough had passed to ressume the normal activities. Hey, my classes at my university were suspended Tuesday morning and came back Wednesday morning. If my principal rutine in life was reestablished so fast and many people are back to work, why can’t things like sports go on?
People can not go around glommy all the time(ok, some can, and will). I think they would need something to entertain them and try to relax them.
Of course, any sport play or concert that was programmed for the NYC area(or DC) and any game with any sports team of NYC or DC should not be ressumed for at least the rest of the week, maybe more. I was talking about sport events and other things happening in the other parts of the country, not in ground zero.
Baseball has also decided to wait until Monday. The postponed games will all be played the first week of October. This means the playoffs and the World Series will be pushed back one week as well.
College football has also decided to postpone this week’s games.
NASCAR has decided to postpone this weekend’s races.
