Got|Opinion 9.13.01: Should the NFL have played its games this weekend?

[pennypinch]

The NFL will not play its games this weekend. As confirmed by the league office, the NFL will postpone or cancel games for the first time ever for a non-strike reason.

Frankly, I think this is patently stupid and, frankly, playing right into the hands of the cowards that perpetrated this crime. This wasn't meant to kill as many people as possible, although they certainly managed to do that. This attack was not on individuals but on the way of life we enjoy in this country. It was meant to rattle our consumer confidence. It was meant to make us ruin the things that make this country great. They want us to go and hunt down those that look Arabic. It was intended to strike us such that we're unable to enjoy the little things in life: like sports.

I say, to hell with them. We should play to show them we are unbowed. We should play because it would provide us with a few hours of much-needed levity. We should play because it is what we do. Stopping the games this weekend concede yet one more victory to these cowards, as they have dictated to us one more element of our lives. I think the NFL leadership is cowardly, and is succumbing to FDR's fear: fear itself.

[TheLoneGunman]

This is one of the few posts that actually deserved a poll and you didn't put one in.

1. When Pete Rozelle continued Football after Kennedy was assassinated, everyone criticized him. They didn't want to make the same mistake twice.

2. The NY Jets didn't want to take a Newark to San Francisco flight for their game against the Raiders (since it was one that was hijacked). If they didn't play, then how could you make the other teams play?

3. Some teams were affected more than others and so it would be unfair and not a level playing field

4. There are still terrorists in this country and large numbers of people in a stadium are not good (Remember that movie with the blimp and the Super Bowl...)

[welfareloser]

i pretty much agree with you, but i don't think it was totally stupid to cancel. an nfl game is an awfully good target, and they just want to be cautious. it's not the decision i would have made, but i can kinda understand...

[Jihforce]

You seem to know a little too much about what the terrorists' intentions were.
Honestly, this can go either way. I personally wouldn't mind the games, although I don't exactly know how many would be in the mood to be going to the games. Maybe watching it on TV would be ok. But as far as the players go, I don't think any of them are willing to fly to another city to play...and I frankly don't think they are in the right mental state of playing a ball game...after all, football players are human too.

[Burzhui]

Definately not, it would be a good place for terrorists to strike, plus that rally for Israel that i talked about has been canceled for obvious reasons... it's a shame though i would have still went

[Grimm]

The objective of a sporting event is to have the contestants pit their skills against one another. As things stand right now it would be unfair to ask players to compete with the questionable emotional state so many of them could be in. How many of the players are from New York, or have family and friends there?

[pennypinch]

So terrorists are a new fabrication? We've never had terrorists in this country before? I don't understand how an NFL stadium is better or worse target than it was last Sunday. Are we going to eschew large gatherings of any type into perpetuity?

I can understand Pete Rozelle getting heat: that was 3 days after the assassination. But I think the heat is on for us to get back to "normal" life, and the NFL has fumbled the ball.

As for flights, I think it would restore confidence in our air system if we did get the teams up and around the country. Our faith in the system has been severely shaken; now, I don't know the extent of the security increases, but we have to get back on our feet regarding air travel sooner or later.

Here's the thing, folks: circumstances going forward today are EXACTLY THE SAME as they were before. Someone could nuke the Metrodome; the risk level is the same this Sunday as it was last Sunday. Hijackings are still a possibility, our increased efforts to the contrary notwithstanding. Everyone is afraid, but as public figures, don't you think football players could do a lot of good by setting an example and going back to work like this country's leadership has implored us to do?

[BrewMaster]

At this point they can't fly to another city anyway. It would be too much of a mess to try to put on a game. And seriously, who would go to a stadium right now? I think we've all got bigger things to attend to.

Oh, and TLG why would the NY Jets fly to San Francisco when Oakland International Airport is 10 minutes from the stadium and their hotel? SFO is at least 45 mintues from Oakland with no traffic. Just wondering. You may know which flight they take, I have no idea, but that travel plan seem kind of lame and out of the way to me.

[Jpeace121]

This doesn't have as much to do with the NFL leadership as the NFL players.

Gene Upshaw, head of the NFL Players Association, had a conference call late last night with the player representatives for all 31 NFL teams. The vote was 31-0 in favor of cancelling this weekends games. Regardless of how we feel, remember that football players are human beings like us that were also effected by this tragedy.

[pennypinch]

Remember also that football is capable of bringing people together like no other sport. Every Sunday for years people have gotten together, thrown steaks and burgers on the barbie, and enjoyed each others' company. If there was a sport that needed to go on this weekend, it was football. To come together and enjoy one of the most visible bastions of a capitalist democracy (professional sports) would have been a very theraputic thing, methinks.

[pennypinch]

Originally posted by Jpeace121
This doesn't have as much to do with the NFL leadership as the NFL players.

Gene Upshaw, head of the NFL Players Association, had a conference call late last night with the player representatives for all 31 NFL teams. The vote was 31-0 in favor of cancelling this weekends games. Regardless of how we feel, remember that football players are human beings like us that were also effected by this tragedy.

Didn't know that. Then lump the players union in with Tagliabue.

[Jpeace121]

Originally posted by pennypinch
Remember also that football is capable of bringing people together like no other sport. Every Sunday for years people have gotten together, thrown steaks and burgers on the barbie, and enjoyed each others' company. If there was a sport that needed to go on this weekend, it was football. To come together and enjoy one of the most visible bastions of a capitalist democracy (professional sports) would have been a very theraputic thing, methinks.

I think you make a good point. However, I think that as we talk about life returning to normal, moving on, and showing that the actions of these terrorists have not affected us, we need to allow ourselves time to grieve. This is not weak or cowardly on our part. Our loss has been great, and taking some time to deal with the emotions that come about as a result of such a great loss can have as much therapeutic value as a weekend of football games.

[welfareloser]

Originally posted by pennypinch
Everyone is afraid, but as public figures, don't you think football players could do a lot of good by setting an example and going back to work like this country's leadership has implored us to do?

i agree. but obviously the players don't. they're jsut as hurt and shaken and scared of flying and large public gatherings as everyone else, and' i'm not upset that they're going to take a few days to recover.

and, as mentioned, once air travel starts up again, everything is going to be an unholy crowded mess - everybody that has needed to get somewhere for the last three days is going to be trying to get on the soonest flight possible...

[bicycleKICK]

I really wish they wouldn't have canceled them...I really wanted to see the Vikings/Ravens Monday night football game.

[topane]

Perhaps this is merely a show of respect for those who are gone

[ken]

Just watch college ball this weekend. NCAA games aren't cancelled.

[Greta]

I believe that the travel logistics have a lot to do with it. The Big 10 is playing football Saturday, but other conferences have opted out.

Damn, what a mess

[pennypinch]

I think the recuperative effects of a full slate of Americana like foozball are greater than just sitting around moping. Grieve, sure. Grieving does not neccessarily mean sitting in a corner and bawling your eyes out.

We've always looked to sports as an integral part of what this country is. Remember that Whitney Houston rendition of the Star Spangled banner right after we went to war in the Gulf? Tell me that wasn't a galvanizing moment! It was one of the top selling records of the year. The Miracle on Ice: it bouyed the nation's spirit after a relatively dismal showing at the Winter Olympics that year.

Here's what I'm saying: that the football players could show the gumption and civic duty of rallying this country back to normalacy by braving 3 hours of their job. Sure, there will be distractions. Sure, people will be scared. But the only weapons these terrorists can use against us anymore is fear. Being afraid of returning to our normal life is the greatest damage they have done yet.

While it isn't REALLY comparable, think back to the Battle of the Bay World Series that was interrupted by that huge earthquake. When the Series resumed, it was such a breath of fresh air from the death and destruction.

[topane]

You know, who really gived a ***** about some stupid football games at this point? There's a lot more to worry about.

[eSDee]

I think it is a good idea that NFL games were cancelled this weekend. It is respectful and the right thing to do. Plus, when the game is over the winning team will want to celebrate. Will they feel comfortable celebrating a meaningless victory of a game, when hundreds of their fellow Americans are suffering? When hundreds of bodies are still laying under tons of rubble, is there any real reason for even wanting to win? I wouldn't think so.

[Nothing]

All I can say is that this has to be one of the saddest, shallowest things that I've ever read. Take a moment and listen to yourselves, thousands dead, nation shaken to the core, and you want football. The players know what's happening, they also know that there is a certain respect that has to be given to this situation which doesn't include drinking beer, eating bbq, and having a good ol time. This is a time when we should all be worried because our vulnerability has been shown to us in a way that we were always to ignorant to believe was possible. We are now more vulnerable to attack as well because a million terrorists have just been shown that the US can be hit too. No longer are we the inpeneterable power that we were, the ones who catch every terrorist and stop every bomb. So please, forget the football and think about everyone who has bigger things on their minds. If you had just lost your entire family, would you be offended to hear someone complain about their team losing some stupid game? Now multiply that by a thousand and you see why that form of competition just isn't appropriate at this point. Just my opnion, but I feel that there are a lot better things to talk about than a few missed football games.

[pennypinch]

Originally posted by Nothing
All I can say is that this has to be one of the saddest, shallowest things that I've ever read. Take a moment and listen to yourselves, thousands dead, nation shaken to the core, and you want football. The players know what's happening, they also know that there is a certain respect that has to be given to this situation which doesn't include drinking beer, eating bbq, and having a good ol time. This is a time when we should all be worried because our vulnerability has been shown to us in a way that we were always to ignorant to believe was possible. We are now more vulnerable to attack as well because a million terrorists have just been shown that the US can be hit too. No longer as we the inpeneterable power that we were, the ones who catch every terrorist and stop every bomb. So please, forget the football and think about everyone who has bigger things on their minds. If you had just lost your entire family, would you be offended to hear someone complain about their team losing some stupid game? Now multiply that by a thousand and you see why that form of competition just isn't appropriate at this point. Just my opnion, but I feel that there are a lot better things to talk about than a few missed football games.

Talk about missing the point.

A) We were never an impenetrable power. We never stopped every bomb, we never caught every terrorist, and if you actually thought we were immune to what happens in all the rest of the world, you were foolish. Sorry to put so fine a point on it, but I'm sick of people saying that things are different. Things are exactly the same as they were, we just chose to ignore it until Tuesday.

B) This has the potential to be a real disaster, culturally as well as physically. If we let this bring us down in terms of consumer confidence, the way we interact with each other, and the material way we live our lives, then the terrorists have struck a bigger blow than they could have ever imagined.

3) I saw this weekend at a real chance for relief. We need to heal, and like I said above, that doesn't neccessarily mean sitting and crying and moping and rehashing the same thing over and over and over again. There is relief in such a thing as being with friends. There is relief in a few hours of blessed distraction from the hell in south Manhattan. There is relief in doing something that we did before this whole nightmare.


In short, it's not the football itself that counts, but what football stands for: a small slice of how we were before this happened.

[Tak]

They were just discussing this topic on ABC. It was stated that at the time, Pete Rozelle's thought was that allowing the football games to continue would help the nation return to some sense of normality, however, he later admitted that he regretted his decision.

Personally, I think it was good that the games were cancelled. Life does have to go on, but right now, many of the players (especially those from NYC) are still dealing with their own emotions in regards to what happened. Also, it is a matter of respect for the victims and their families.

[gothamknight]

I think the NFL made the right call by not playing the games scheduled for this weekend. Let's not forget - the tragedy isn't over. There still might be survivors trapped in the rubble. Even if there are no more survivors to rescue, there are still countless victims to extricate.

Do we really want our NFL scores accompanied by news flashes of an escalating body count? I know I don't. What if the US decides to retalitate this weekend? What network would carry a football game when there something like that to report on?

I don't think waiting a week to resume our professional sports is a concession to the forces of evil...

[deejay ROK]

This is the first time I'm posting something, but I thought that this a good time to say something. My brother wrote me something today that really made me think. "God is sad . . . " That was all. I think that it says enough. Playing football or any other sport would definitely help the nation in healing, but I think that our energies would be better spent on those that are affected by this. I personally do not know anyone who has persished in this attack, but I have lost people close to me.

Time heals all wounds, and if it takes a weekend to get the nation back on its feet, what's a couple more days, or a week. Do we really lose anything by taking time to reflect on those things that really matter in this world, because God knows, we never look at things until it's too late.

I told my brother that I loved him and also my wife. We should never underestimate the power of love. Love heals . . . To think that the NFL was somehow ". . . patently stupid and, frankly, playing right into the hands of the cowards that perpetrated this crime," is just not true. If anyone out there has lost someone special or has been a vicitim of a crime, it will always take time and love to defeat those fears. Take a few days to tell those around you how much they mean and how important they are . . . you never know . . .

sorry about posting this a second time

[ProMinx]

I support the MLB and NFL decisions to avoid large gatherings, but I have questions about the cancelled ASU/UCLA game this saturday. I think that's a long enough delay...

ProMinx

[OC]

The very last thing we should be worrying about is pro sports at a time of crisis like this. My thoughts on this topic are far more insulting than what I just said, but I'll keep the rest of them to myself.

-OC