40 replies to this topic

[QuacksMeUp]

I have asked myself this question at every sporting event. Last night, some in the crowd at the Shark Tank booed the singing of "Oh, Canada", we think. At least that is what was reported.

It has happened before on both sides of the anthem singing on both sides of the Canadian-US border.

There is really no need to boo an anthem. It serves no useful purpose. I can see booing a player or a ref or the way a team is playing in the heat of a game, but booing an anthem is just, well...stupid. Also, shouting "USA, USA" is beyond stupid. It's the stupid leading the clueless.

Why do we have the singing of national anthems at PRO sporting events? It's not as if the USA or Canada are actually paying for these teams to play. Well maybe Canada does, but the US for the most part doesn't know hockey exists within the lower 48 and Alaska. So why all the hoopla about marching out another honor guard and having someone try to do their personal best with the lyrics to these anthems?

I am patriotic, I am not a flag burner. But, IMO, there is a place and time for everything. At the Olympics and Worlds and World Championships of any sport, sure -- wave those colors and shout those lyrics. But at an event that brings in bucks for a franchise and a sports federation whose only connection with the government is the minimal taxes they pay? Just doesn't get my patriotic juices flowing at all.

Admire, mention and applaud what the troops are doing or what latest disaster relief has caught our attention, or whatever, but let's not mistake an NHL hockey game for national pride. Particularly when most of the guys on the teams are not from the USA to begin with. If I was Bryz or Teemu, I'd be asking for equal time!!

I am asking your opinions on this.

[Wild Wing(>,<)]

I have asked myself this question at every sporting event.  Last night, some in the crowd at the Shark Tank booed the singing of "Oh, Canada", we think.  At least that is what was reported. 

It has happened before on both sides of the anthem singing on both sides of the Canadian-US border. 

There is really no need to boo an anthem.  It serves no useful purpose.  I can see booing a player or a ref or the way a team is playing in the heat of a game, but booing an anthem is just, well...stupid.  Also, shouting "USA, USA" is beyond stupid.  It's the stupid leading the clueless.

Why do we have the singing of national anthems at PRO sporting events? It's not as if the USA or Canada are actually paying for these teams to play.  Well maybe Canada does, but the US for the most part doesn't know hockey exists within the lower 48 and Alaska.  So why all the hoopla about marching out another honor guard and having someone try to do their personal best with the lyrics to these anthems?

I am patriotic, I am not a flag burner.  But, IMO, there is a place and time for everything.  At the Olympics and Worlds and World Championships of any sport, sure -- wave those colors and shout those lyrics.  But at an event that brings in bucks for a franchise and a sports federation whose only connection with the government is the minimal taxes they pay?  Just doesn't get my patriotic juices flowing at all. 

Admire, mention and applaud what the troops are doing or what latest disaster relief has caught our attention, or whatever, but let's not mistake an NHL hockey game for national pride.  Particularly when most of the guys on the teams are not from the USA to begin with.  If I was Bryz or Teemu, I'd be asking for equal time!!

I am asking your opinions on this. 

Good Topic!!

My self im from Canada n they dont pay the teams LOL!
Ive noticed what you mean about booing its totally disrespectful.
BUT it may aswell just get the players all pumped up n get angry before the game to do alot of damage.

GO DUCKS GO- Thats what I would sasy if anything!

[QuacksMeUp]

BUT it may aswell just get the players all pumped up n get angry before the game to do alot of damage.

GO DUCKS GO- Thats what I would sasy if anything!  

Have you ever watched the faces of the players while the anthems are being played? They are not even hearing the festivities. They have to hear it every single night they play -- they are probably thinking about their next date, what their kids said at lunch, how tight their laces need to be, etc etc. They are bored silly. Shouting for the team is what counts, but shouting it during an anthem is, as you stated, very disrespectful.

The problem is, why are they even playing the anthems??? Why not just have NHL hockey team anthems. Then the fans can get all fired up and shout them (something like what happens during football events in the UK and elsewhere).

[hockey2k]

Yeah, I think that playing the anthems before non-international sporting events is a tradition that doesn't really make much sense anymore in any sport, but especially hockey. There are so many guys from other countries playing and they aren't representing their countries on the ice, or their host country, they are representing the team that pays them. Maybe if it is a sign of respect to the country they are playing in, or to the fans, but that seems to be streching a bit. And in minor league games especially, the singers don't always do the anthems much honor by their renditions. The Star Spangled Banner really shouldn't be attemped by amateurs.

But don't expect it ever to go away. That's a touchy subject and no one wants to look unpatriotic.

[QuacksMeUp]

But don't expect it ever to go away. That's a touchy subject and no one wants to look unpatriotic.

But, my point is -- it's not being patriotic to sing an anthem at a PRO event. To me, it cheapens the anthem and the nation it stands for. But I guess, that's just me. And I am not singling out hockey -- I also have a problem with it at any other pro sporting event.

[hockey2k]

But, my point is -- it's not being patriotic to sing an anthem at a PRO event. 

I agree with you, but there are a lot of knee-jerk reactionists around who will jump to the "unpatriotic" conclusion. They'd hear "no anthem" and that's it. These are touchy times we live in.

[Duckette]

It's just a tribute to our country before each game. I think we should keep it. And not all the hockey players ignore it. Some of them bow their heads in respect.

I personally think we should keep it, but I'm a military brat.

[QuacksMeUp]

It's just a tribute to our country before each game. I think we should keep it. And not all the hockey players ignore it. Some of them bow their heads in respect.

I personally think we should keep it, but I'm a military brat.

And I appreciate that it is a tribute to a nation and it's people. All of it's people. Military and tree hugger alike. My concern is that in overdoing it for every sporting event, it becomes so trivial that people think it's okay to boo or catcall through the anthems. That's when I think we need to step back and question why it's being played to begin with.

I'm frankly surprised that someone hasn't sued major league organizations for making them stand and salute a flag which they don't believe in. Freedom comes in many ways. Someone's right to not stand for the singing of the national anthem is a freedom too.

The bottom line is, why is it a part of a sporting event? To get the war juices going or to remember that the freedom to sit in a stadium or arena to watch the event came at the cost of the defense of our way of life? And if it's the latter, can't we remember that concept without it being shoved in our face?

[Dark Knight]

It's an interesting thought. I think it has a place in international competitions, but I'd never thought about it in the context of the NHL. Maybe they should play all the anthems represented on each team

If I had to vote, I'd say "not needed." And, Duckette, just because you're a military brat it doesn't make you any more patriotic than those who aren't

[QuacksMeUp]

It's an interesting thought. I think it has a place in international competitions, but I'd never thought about it in the context of the NHL. Maybe they should play all the anthems represented on each team

If I had to vote, I'd say "not needed." And, Duckette, just because you're a military brat it doesn't make you any more patriotic than those who aren't

I think it truly comes from all the times in high school and college that it was done before sporting events. But again, that's not PRO sports. I started wondering about it back during the Gulf War. There were alot of people who didn't actually agree with that war, but every single time you went to a ball game or a hockey game, the flags were waving, the thunder from the jets going over was rampant and the signing of "I'm Proud to be an American" was played so much, it became white noise. I think we can all appreciate and respect our country without it becoming a media event.

[GiantDuck]

Why do we have the singing of national anthems at PRO sporting events? It's not as if the USA or Canada are actually paying for these teams to play.  Well maybe Canada does, but the US for the most part doesn't know hockey exists within the lower 48 and Alaska.  So why all the hoopla about marching out another honor guard and having someone try to do their personal best with the lyrics to these anthems?

The origins of singing the national anthem before a sporting event harkens back to WWI:

In 1916, Woodrow Wilson ordered that "The Star Spangled Banner" be played at military and other appropriate occasions. Two years later, in 1918, the song was first played at a baseball game; in the 1918 World Series, the band started an impromptu performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the seventh-inning stretch. The players and spectators stood at attention, took off their hats, and sang, giving rise to a tradition that is repeated at almost every professional baseball game in the United States today, though it is now performed prior to the first pitch.

<LINK> to Wikipedia entry

Personally, I don't know whether the singing of the national anthems before games should be eliminated. I admit I do get chills when I hear an outstanding version of either the US or Candian anthems sung live at an event. Unfortunately, we live in a time where the anthem singing has become an opportunity for individuals to showcase their cleverness and originality to the rest of the crowd with a well-placed "_____ Rules!" or "_____ Sucks!"

I have to say that anyone at an NHL hockey game who boos the opposing team's anthem is clueless, seeing as most likely the team he/she is rooting for has several players from both countries.

[Duckette]

It's an interesting thought. I think it has a place in international competitions, but I'd never thought about it in the context of the NHL. Maybe they should play all the anthems represented on each team

If I had to vote, I'd say "not needed." And, Duckette, just because you're a military brat it doesn't make you any more patriotic than those who aren't

Oh! No, thats not what it meant in any way at all! I just meant that I've been raised to stand for the anthem and don't dare speak during it, and that it should be sang. I didn't mean in anyway that I'm more patriotic than someone else because im a military brat, I just meant that it was the way I was raised to always have the national anthem in what you do.

[QuacksMeUp]

Oh! No, thats not what it meant in any way at all! I just meant that I've been raised to stand for the anthem and don't dare speak during it, and that it should be sang. I didn't mean in anyway that I'm more patriotic than someone else because im a military brat, I just meant that it was the way I was raised to always have the national anthem in what you do.

I was also raised that way, Duckette. But if I learned anything during the 60's and 70's it was to question "why" to almost everything.

Thanks GiantDuck for that little bit of history. I remember when they played the national anthem at ballgames, but it was a recording or a brass band. Now, it's got to be someone somewhat famous who want's to show off their vocal range or lack thereof. It's annoying. The one's who take 10 minutes to sing it are the most annoying one's, IMO!

I just can't figure out the tie-in between corporate sports bottom line and having to have people sing the anthem and take up precious TV minutes. It's so baffling!

[GiantDuck]

I just can't figure out the tie-in between corporate sports bottom line and having to have people sing the anthem and take up precious TV minutes.  It's so baffling!

Most of the time, TV usually uses the time that the anthems are played to show more commercials. That's the tie-in.

[QuacksMeUp]

I just can't figure out the tie-in between corporate sports bottom line and having to have people sing the anthem and take up precious TV minutes.  It's so baffling!

Most of the time, TV usually uses the time that the anthems are played to show more commercials. That's the tie-in.

I always thought that until recently when I have had to sit at home watching my TV and having to hear the anthem being sung! It takes about 2 minutes and they are showing that instead of a commercial. That never use to happen.

[MrsBevo]

It's a long tradition. I think it is disrespectful to boo another country's anthem, especially when the majority of your team's players are from that country. Doesn't make sense to me.

[Dark Knight]

Thanks for the history and your personal opinion GD. I found it rather sensible and agreable

[Veca]

But don't expect it ever to go away. That's a touchy subject and no one wants to look unpatriotic.

But, my point is -- it's not being patriotic to sing an anthem at a PRO event. To me, it cheapens the anthem and the nation it stands for. But I guess, that's just me. And I am not singling out hockey -- I also have a problem with it at any other pro sporting event.

I'd have to agree about the anthem not being appropriate at sporting events. If you think about it, most of the teams now are made mostly of Europeans and the other sports are composed of players from even more countries. So do we disregard their anthems?? Why the Canadian and not the others? The tradition started long before everything became global and it's an outdated tradition me thinks.
Besides, the way most singers butcher up the American anthem, makes me want to scream or . When we learned the anthem in school, we were told you could only sing it the way it was written, to "stylize' it was an insult.

[bryzfan1]

I don't know if it has changed, but years ago (MANY years ago) when I was visiting England, they played God Save the Queen at the beginning of the show in every movie theatre!

Too much! Save the Anthems for special occasions!

Remember that the Philadelphia Flyers didn't play the Anthem at games for many years. Instead they played Kate Smith singing God Bless America. It was supposed to be their good luck charm. Now, somehow, Take Me Out to the Ball Game seems to have been replaced by God Bless America in the seventh inning stretch at baseball games. I'm actuially offended.

I'm tired of people wearing their pseudo-patriotism on their sleeves. Patriotism is in the heart and in actions one takes (on those rare occasions when one must act for one;s country)! Wearing a flag on your lapel doesn't make you any more patriotic than the guy in the dirty t-shirt and ball cap. Those ordinary everyday people on the 9/11 flight over Pennsylvania - every one of them who took action - now THEY are patriots.

Just my 2 cents.

[Reb]

... the guy in the dirty t-shirt and ball cap.

I've been paged?

[Veca]

... the guy in the dirty t-shirt and ball cap.

I've been paged?

[Dark Knight]

... the guy in the dirty t-shirt and ball cap.

I've been paged?

make sure you wear a jacket too. Those Oregon nights can be chilly

[Francaise]

Well, I WAS going to comment, but seeing as how MY opinion is opposite of here, I'll just read your comments....

The anthems are probably more for us, than the players (for hockey). a lot of NFL and MLB players look interested and are in to it. It's played for respect.

[BritDuck]

I don't know if it has changed, but years ago (MANY years ago) when I was visiting England, they played God Save the Queen at the beginning of the show in every movie theatre!

Too much!  Save the Anthems for special occasions! 

Ok, that definitely does not happen anymore. In fact, the British national anthem is so rarely played, most people do not even know the lyrics anymore. The British ice hockey league has the same tradition as the NHL in playing the anthem before the game, but that is the only time you will find the British anthem played on a regular basis anywhere, and it is a recorded version. When the Cardiff Devils come to town, their fans sing the Welsh national anthem as most other arenas do not have a copy of this. It is actually rather amusing to hear the English fans attempt to retaliate by singing along with God Save the Queen after the Welsh rendition, with a rather obvious lack of knowledge of the words:

God save our gracious Queen,
God save our naaah-na Queen,
God save the Queen.

Send us victorious,
Happy and glorious,
nah nah nah naaaaah na na

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!!

And don't even get me started on the other versus

So, personally, I rather like the tradition of singing the national anthem before a hockey game, but that may be just because we rarely hear it over here anymore. It always sends shivers up my spine to hear an anthem done really well before an NHL game and a good rendition seems to fire the crowd up. I agree with Francaise in that the anthem is probably more for the fans than for the players themselves, but I don't see any harm in it.

I'm sure those players from other countries don't mind. They are playing in the US or Canada so they must come expecting some bias towards the 'home-town boys' and their culture.

But booing - that is just damn disrespectful.

[Dark Knight]

I've heard some original versions of the Star Spangled Banner also I like Eddie Izzard's comments on this:

The American national anthem I’ve noticed is a bit hazy in the middle! Cause it starts strong and you finish strong, but the middle bit’s a bit, “And fish in the sky, and a big monkey pie…” I’ve seen guys up there, halfway through, just losing it. “What the f*** is it?”