Does Ed Sherman think football players and the sports media aren’t feeling heartache and grief over the terrible tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001?
His Sept. 26 piece, “Too much reverence on NFL shows,” was cold and callous. He obviously hasn’t comprehended the magnitude of the terrorist attacks. More than 6,000 people are presumed dead, and here’s a sports media writer beckoning for ordinary, everyday life to resume.
The tributes to the fallen, the salutes to the great American spirit, a heart-wrenching rendition of “God Bless America” by a rock star who grew up just over the bridge from New York City–conducted by lip-synching, probably because he risked breaking down in tears had he sung it live–didn’t affect Mr. Sherman? It was too much?
The broadcasters wanted, needed to show their emotion over the tragedy. Lucky for them they had a mass outlet to express their sorrow. The loudmouth bickering among Terry Bradshaw, Cris Collinsworth and Howie Long was absent on Sunday, replaced with somberness. Referring so tactlessly to the mood of the big sports day as “maudlin” was most inappropriate.
Yes, the games should go on, the people shall cheer again, pregame shows will fall back into pointless drivel and we’re all going to have fun again, but it’s a different time now.
We’re changed. If someone wants to say a few kind words about how precious life is before breaking down the Rams’ offensive scheme, then let it be. I don’t care if it’s every Sunday.
We need to cheer, laugh and, most important, always remember the terrible events of Sept. 11, 2001, and how those events brought the country together.
