9/11: The day in sports

Carly Besser
Contributing writer

It’s a day most remember incredibly well. Sept. 11, 2001 was a moment America’s life was flipped upside down. People everywhere felt the shock and pain, most knowing victims of the tragedy. However, American citizens weren’t the only group affected by 9/11.

The sports world screeched to an abrupt halt.

The head commissioner of Major League Baseball, Bud Selig, called for any games scheduled on Sept. 11 to be canceled. The cancelations were then extended for three more days. The canceled games were tacked onto the end of the postseason, causing it to end later than usual. According to the MLB, Sept. 11 was the third time in history any games were canceled due to war or national security reasons.

Though football is known as a sport to hit hard, the National Football League was the one to be hit the hardest in 2001. The NFL canceled all games on Sept. 16, and tacked the games to the end of the regular season. This caused any playoff games to be pushed back.

Because of Sept. 11, the NFL now holds the Super Bowl on the first Sunday of February. The Canadian Football League also decided to scrap any games for the upcoming week.

NASCAR also joined in by canceling the Winston Cup New Hampshire 200 race at the New Hampshire International Speedway. The cancellation wasn’t officially lifted until Nov. 23.

The Professional Golfers Association made the unanimous decision to cancel the World Golf Championship. This was the first recorded cancellation of a PGA championship in five years.

The professional sporting world was not the only group affected by the attacks.

Collegiate sports also took part in calling off events. Any Division I college games scheduled on Sept. 13 and 15 were canceled and any team that tried to schedule games during the lockdown were fined by the NCAA. Most of these games were postponed until early December.

After news of the attacks was released, ESPN interrupted its regular programs to cover the aftermath of the plane hijackings. ESPN almost decided not to show a scheduled segment of Sportscenter because there was much debate toward what to air.

After much debate to the relevance of playing Sportscenter after the attacks, a shortened segment was aired, mainly covering the sporting events canceled that day.

Even though 9/11 happened 10 years ago, the American sporting world still takes upon itself to heavily commemorate those whose lives were lost that day. The NFL salutes “the American spirit” during its games on the first full day of the season, Sept. 11.

Coaches, players and first responders from the area plan to hold field length American flags during the playing of the national anthem. Players and coaches will also wear 9/11 ribbon patches on their uniforms and sideline apparel. Along with this, the NFL has donated $1 million to memorials related to the events of Sept.11.

It is part of American culture to relate to each other through watching a Sunday night football game or to catch the Reds play on ESPN.

However, when disasters such as Sept. 11 present themselves, Americans unite in a way to honor those who have lost their lives or who have fought to keep the United States safe. Even this is recognized by athletes in the sporting world who felt just as awe stricken as their viewers. Athletes sacrifice their time for entertainment but service men and women sacrifice their time for freedom.

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