Sports help nation heal after tragedy

Sports is a microcosm of life. And that has enabled sports to become so valuable in the healing process since the terrorist attacks of exactly one year ago.

Sports is entertainment.

From two to four hours, you become immersed in the battle for supremacy on a field, course, surface or arena.

You aren’t thinking about terrorism, the mortgage payment or the new tires you have to buy for the family car the next day. Those concerns will be awaiting you after the game.

But you can put them aside temporarily and take a break from life’s everyday stresses.

Pro athletes became involved in various charities to help the 9/11 victims and were seen in a new light. In an age where pro athletes are often seen as self-centered millionaires, those athletes recognized their good fortune and became productive role models.

Rousing renditions of the national anthem and “America the Beautiful” that were performed before games or sporting events galvanized our patriotism.

Patriotism also played an important role in the last-minute agreement between the major league owners and players that averted a strike.

Nobody wanted to be on strike on Sept. 11, 2002. How could they have looked at themselves in the mirror the next day?

Here is a country that is recovering from an unprecedented attack and greedy players and owners were about to take away a valuable healing outlet by shutting down the national pastime.

And the New England Patriots did their share by going into Super Bowl XXXVI as the overwhelming underdog and stunning the mighty Rams.

Americans love underdogs, probably because we’re a country of immigrants and outcasts who overcame huge odds and numerous adversities to become the greatest country in the world.

And the Patriots became the first Super Bowl participant introduced as a team and not as individuals.

The question of the day on the Dan Patrick radio show on WZON-AM Tuesday asked the listeners to call in and tell Patrick if they wanted his Wednesday show from New York City to be: 1. All about remembering 9/11; 2. Half about remembering 9/11 and half about sports or 3. Just about sports.

There were several good points made by a number of listeners and guests.

Former NFL quarterback and current sportscaster Joe Theismann favored No. 3.

He explained that there would be tons of media coverage pertaining to 9/11 and a sports talk show would provide another outlet for those who wanted a diversion.

Theismann said the attack, the victims and the people whose heroic deeds were chronicled will never be forgotten.

I would have chosen No. 2.

To relive the attacks again may help in the healing process for some. I’m sure more heroes will be introduced.

But I would also want some sports talk to serve as an outlet.

I’m sure we can gain tremendous inspiration from those who survived it or those who have bravely overcome the loss of loved ones and been able to patch their lives together.

The generosity of people from across the world will be another source of inspiration.

But, one can also understand how some would simply like to avoid re-living such a grim day in our history.

I would encourage all to say a silent prayer for the victims, their families and the heroes and to be thankful we are Americans.

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-8231 or 1-800-310-8600. His email address is lmahoney@bangordailynews.net.