Respecting the Anthem
Last Friday, we talked here about the NBA’s new rule requiring teams to play the national anthem before games…this, following the Dallas Mavericks and owner Mark Cuban deciding to strike the anthem from their playlist at home games.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” has only been our national anthem since 1931. It first started to be played at major sporting events at the 1918 World Series, in the wake of World War I. It gained in popularity during World War II, with the concept being to stir up a sense of patriotism among like-minded people…people who love our country.
Even before the massive disrespect shown by pro and later college athletes, I thought we were diminishing the impact of the anthem by playing it at the start of everything from a pro league championship to little league ballgames. Perhaps, if it’s really something special, we should limit its use to special occasions.
Now, I’m convinced of it. Before you say this is simply caving in to those who have been taking a knee or showing other signs of disrespect…I say it’s more disrespectful to the anthem and our flag to give them this platform for protest. They want to protest, fine…it shouldn’t be on the field of play. But since leagues and schools are running scared, let’s remove the trigger that gives them the chance to make the rest of us angry, frankly.
During the Vietnam War, the NFL required players to stand at attention with helmet at their sides during the anthem. Now, it’s a free for all.
Or, if you prefer, I’m fine with reverting to what the NFL did commonly until a few years ago…namely, the anthem was played after warm-ups and before kick-off, when the players were in the locker room. Fine, play the anthem but without players there.
But if we really care about the dignity of the anthem and flag…let’s stop giving these misguided individuals the chance to disrespect it.
