SPORTS ZONE 1: Fans Want Something to Cheer About

By JEREMY COX (Click here to read about the writer)
Scripps Howard Foundation Wire

They just want something to cheer about. Anything.

As the nation struggled to catch its breath Thursday following the worst terrorist attacks ever to strike American soil, the message from sports fans was clear: It’s time to get back to normalcy.

“You have to get the country back on track,” said Melinda Rosser, 41, of Tampa, Fla. “These games are a good way to show solidarity and support.”

Rosser had planned to attend Saturday’s University of Florida football game in Gainesville against rival Tennessee until the Southeastern Conference called off the game Thursday. Rosser has missed only a handful of UF home games since she was 4 years old.

Across the country, professional and college football stadiums, baseball fields and other sports grounds remained empty and eerily quiet for a third consecutive day.

All NFL and most college football games for the upcoming weekend were cancelled. The NASCAR race in Loudon, N.H., was postponed and rescheduled for Friday, Nov. 23. Major League Baseball called off all its games through Sunday.

For baseball, the postponements were the most for the national pastime since World War I when the final month was cancelled in 1918.

Meantime, many fans said Thursday that resuming sports would send a symbolic statement to the world.

“I think it was good of them to suspend (games) for a couple days,” said Mike Kania of Columbus, Ohio, who is an Ohio State football fan. “But I think they should really get it going again just to return to something normal. Having sports begin again would be a sign that (the terrorists) didn’t succeed.”

Jason Priestas, 26, also of Columbus, Ohio, had mixed emotions: “Part of me is saying: Let’s just get back into it and show the terrorists they couldn’t stop us. But the other side of my sees the logistics of it. I mean, who could blame an athlete for not wanting to take a cross-country flight right now?”

Concern for the safety of athletes and fans has been one of the many reasons sporting events have been put off this week. While some fans have argued that resuming play would only offend those in grief, many argued that sports would help the nation heal.

“If (sports) can help the healing process, then it can’t hurt,” Scott Douglass, 26, of Cincinnati, explained. “Everyone else in the country has to get up and go to work, so should the athletes.”

Larry Taggart, 54, of Baltimore, Md., agreed.

“I think we need to understand the enormity of the time and respect those who were murdered. But stopping normal business is what terrorists intend to do. If we disrupt day-to-day life, we give up some of our freedom, more than we already have,” the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles fan said.

Jeff Nowell, however, was happy to hear the news that NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced all of the league’s games would be postponed.

“I didn’t think (that playing football) was appropriate,” said Nowell, 47, of Sunnyvale, Calif. “I thought the usual football fun that we have—put in perspective—would look pretty stupid.”

The majority of fans, however, seemed eager to allow sports to continue, a tired nation longing for the diversion of play.

“Let’s get things started back,” said George Epps, 48, of Odenton, Md. “We have to go forward.”

For Rosser, waiting to watch her beloved Florida Gators isn’t a problem. Rebuilding America is, she said. Whenever the UF-Tennessee game is rescheduled, she’ll be there.

“It won’t matter if you’re a Florida fan or a Tennessee fan,” explained Rosser. “People will be fans of America, and that’s what’s important.” Click here to tell us what you think about this story!

Read SPORTS ZONE 2: Tighter Security at Baseball Fields