Three years ago, the citizens in this country went through the horror of having to watch planes crash into two towers in New York City, a field in Pennsylvania and the west side of a federal building in Washington, D.C. For days, weeks and the past years, there have been few remedies to ease the pain of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America.
As sporting events around the country held special ceremonies and memorials Saturday, sports fans remembered that fateful day when nearly 3,000 died at the hands of terrorists.
Just as the National Football League was beginning another season and fans of Major League Baseball were getting excited about who was going to get a wild card, tragedy struck. College football was just underway when terror gripped the country and left the world wondering what could possibly fill the void of such a loss.
Today, sports have an indirect part in healing our nation. For civilian fans and military personnel (at home and abroad) alike, sporting events have played the role of therapists.
U.S. Culinary Specialist Second Class Cynthia Buchanan said that Saturday she had to stand 24-hour watch at her duty station at U.S. Naval Support Activity in Norfolk, Va. She said that while making her rounds in the barracks, she noticed that her shipmates were becoming more relaxed while watching games and shows such as ESPN’s Sportscenter.
“It seemed to be like an extension of Labor Day weekend,” Buchanan said. “You know how fans prepare and become glued to the TV when college football is on, well that’s just what happened. The NCAA took our thoughts away for a day.”
Buchanan said the fact that an NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans aired on Saturday helped also.
Most of the nation’s sports fans probably did not know anyone who died. But some of those fans probably knew one or some of the deceased. Perhaps some of the fans were actually friends with one of those killed. One of those fans was a mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle or grandparent.
Although three years later the memories of the most destructive terrorist attack on U.S. soil has our sons and daughters away following an uncertain timeline, sporting schedules are running on time (excluding the occasional hurricane) and actually give the nation something to look forward to.
The Southern University Jaguars’ 17-14 win over Mississippi Valley State may not have taken away the pain of losing a loved one. Barry Bonds’ 700th homer will definitely not bring back a son or daughter. But having something to actually cheer about can send one away on a mental vacation – if only just for 60 minutes and a halftime or nine innings.
Having sports helps heal a nation that was wounded and three years later, it stills serves as the perfect medicine.
