Why sports events start with the National Anthem

Even though hearing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before athletic events has become second nature, have you ever given it much thought as to why it is played?

More than just a song, “The Star-Spangled Banner” is a legendary hymn that embodies the spirit of a country and tells the story of a crucial War of 1812 fight. Its presence at athletic events has been ingrained in American sports culture, although opinions on its usefulness are still divided.

Before the thrill of a game, we frequently take for granted the well-known melodies that reverberate through stadiums and arenas. However, have you ever stopped to consider the origins of this custom?

The answer transports us back to the dark days of World War I, when the anthem turned into a potent symbol of pride and resiliency in the country.

An important turning point

The national anthem was first played at athletic events during a period of deep national grief. Even though baseball fans had heard military bands play the song on occasion in the late 19th century, Congress did not formally declare “The Star-Spangled Banner” to be the national anthem until March 3, 1931.

However, Americans’ hearts had already started to absorb its importance.

On September 5, 1918, during Game 1 of the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs, something significant happened.

In the same month that the U.S. Army began the Meuse-Argonne Campaign, one of the biggest offensives in American military history, this game took place under the chaos of World War I. Already, more than 100,000 American soldiers had died fighting in Europe.

The day before the game, there was a bombing in Chicago that claimed innocent lives and threw a shadow over the festivities, adding to the already melancholic atmosphere.

Rain postponed the game, and Comiskey Park saw a mere 19,000 spectators, a far cry from the typical 32,000. The atmosphere was solemn, but as the national song was played by the U.S. Navy band in the seventh inning, everything changed.

A domino effect

Red Sox infielder Fred Thomas, who was in the Navy and was given furlough to play in the World Series, turned to face the American flag and saluted, according to the Chicago Tribune. Players began to reciprocate with similar gestures, and as the song ended, the stadium erupted in thunderous ovation, creating an environment of unrestrained patriotism.

This was “the highest point of the day’s enthusiasm,” according to the New York Times, and the song started to be played frequently in subsequent games after that. The Red Sox honored those who had served during the anthem at the pivotal Game 6 in honor of wounded veterans by giving free tickets to those who had served.

As the nation’s sense of patriotism grew, more ballparks began to include the anthem in their traditions. The National Anthem was required to be played at all football games by the NFL by the time it was officially recognized in 1931; this requirement quickly spread to the majority of other sports.

According to author Marc Ferris in Star-Spangled Banner: The Unlikely Story of America’s National Anthem, the anthem is “heard everywhere” because of the development of sound systems during World War II. “The anthem became synonymous with American pride before the opera, before the movies, before the theater,” he claims.

A contentious discussion

There has been discussion over the anthem’s appropriateness for athletic events for many years. Some expressed worries about conduct during the performance as early as 1954, which prompted Baltimore Orioles general manager Arthur Ehlers to temporarily ban it. However, he later reversed the decision in response to public outcry.

Guy Mainella, a sports radio talk show host, sparked controversy in the 1970s by saying the national anthem glorified military triumphs and wasn’t appropriate for sporting events. “It’s not the Battle of Iwo Jima we’re about to watch,” he protested.

In recent years, the discourse has become more intense, particularly after Colin Kaepernick’s protests against police brutality and systematic racism. Peter May, a veteran sportswriter, asked an interesting query:

Would any of us be less sympathetic to the military or more patriotic if teams decided to stop singing the song altogether? “You only hear it at sporting events,” he continued. It’s not audible at the opera, theater, or concert hall. However, the song has permeated our sporting culture for reasons that are unclear. It is impossible to watch an NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL game and not hear it.

Owner of the Mavericks, Mark Cuban, controversially decided in November 2020 to show support for the player-led social justice movement by ceasing to perform the anthem before home games. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick described this move as “a slap in the face to every American,” sparking a furor.

“Mark Cuban’s actions yesterday made it clear that we must specify that in Texas we play the national anthem before all major events,” Patrick said. “It is hard to believe this could happen in Texas.”

The song was played again at Mavericks games the following year by the NBA, thanks to strong pressure from Texas politicians.

How do you feel?

As we can see, there is a wide range of perspectives. Some believe the melody honors fallen warriors, while others contend it captures the essence of the American experience in general. How do you feel? Is it OK to carry on with this beloved custom, or should we change?

In the end, each person’s interpretation of “The Star-Spangled Banner” is unique and is influenced by their own experiences and beliefs. Does the national anthem belong in athletic events?

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