NFL 9/11


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6390177

With the NFL lockout still in effect one would assume that the 2011-2012 football season should not be at the center of discussion.  Still, everyday it appears as if the NFL’s current situation is a front-page newspaper story.   This article speaks about the current state of the NFL but it also addresses a far more important point.

The NFL as a league is going about its day-to-day operations as if there was going to be an upcoming season beginning in September.  NFL team schedules were released yesterday and the 16 game schedule is in tact.  Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the league said, “We’re doing all we can to prepare for the 2011 season. We’re announcing the schedule as usual, around this time of year, because we know that is an important point where fans start looking forward to the season, and I think there’s every reason for them to do that. We have every intention of playing a full schedule, and that’s why we’re releasing it as we normally do.”  Acts like these show the heart and compassion the league has for its fans.  Goodell’s quote demonstrates how he understands that the effects of this court case reach far further than those in the courtroom.

The most interesting games with the greatest off the field story for the 2011-2012 season centers itself on a pair of 9/11 match ups.  The New York Jets and the Dallas Cowboys meet in New York on September 11th.  This match up is intriguing not because Jets head coach Rex Ryan will face off against his brother, Cowboy’s defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, but because it will mark the 10 year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York.  The Cowboys are deemed “America’s Team” and 9/11 was an American tragedy.  Having these two teams face off on the 10-year anniversary of one of the most devastating days in American history will provide a forum for everyone to reflect on the atrocity that occurred a short decade ago.

The NFL also has the New York Giants traveling to Washington, the other main city hit by the attacks, to face off on September 11th.  These two games were not scheduling coincidences.  Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon said, “For nearly 10 years, we have felt an obligation to use our platform to make sure none of us ever forget the tragedy and heartbreak and courage and heroism of Sept. 11. That responsibility becomes even greater.”  It is great that even while the owners and players of the NFL are quarreling like children they can understand the importance of sending out the right message.  The NFL’s commitment to honoring historic events is very important.  I just hope that the labor agreements are settled and the NFL games occur as scheduled.

 

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