|
Tuesday September 25, 2001
TEMPE - First it was a Federal Express airliner and then it was a Southwest Airlines jet.
The planes just kept on flying over Sun Devil Stadium Sunday night during the Denver Broncos vs. Arizona Cardinals football game.
The planes descended toward Sky Harbor International Airport just like they always do. The airport is only a couple miles from the stadium.
Only this time, the fans noticed the planes more than they usually do. Each time a plane flew what seemed like 50 feet above the stadium, stomachs dropped, and the entire crowd looked up and held its collective breath, myself included.
I could only wonder, what if the plane turned around?
What would I do if the plane made a beeline toward the stadium?
I needed to refocus. I was at a football game, not fighting a war. I was supposed to be keeping track of how many turnovers the Cardinals had, not how many planes flew overhead. I knew I could not let these madmen change my life - I was not brought up that way.
Most of America was raised the same way, too.
Hundreds of thousands of people attended NFL and college football games this past weekend, showing they are not going to live their life in fear despite the terror attacks against New York City and Washington, D.C., Sept.11.
While changes will be made, the one thing that cannot be taken away from us, as Americans, is the pride we share in our country.
I welcomed the changes that took place this weekend at the two games that I attended.
As I walked into the media elevator at Arizona Stadium on Saturday night prior to the start of the Arizona/UNLV game, I was greeted by someone - well, sort of a someone - a bomb-sniffing dog chauffeured by two Tucson Police Officers.
I was stunned. I have never seen anything like it at a sporting event. But I was relieved that it was there.
The dog wagged its tail, and I patted its head as it walked by.
I could tell by the dog's face that everything was safe.
On Sunday, I watched the Cards game as a spectator, not as a member of the media.
The security was tighter at the entry gates, but nobody seemed to care.
Security guards were situated everywhere at Sun Devil Stadium. Just to get into the venue, I passed four different rows of guards before my ticket was ripped.
Once again, the measures made me feel much safer.
Each fan was given a miniature American flag and a booklet with the words to "God Bless America" and "The Star-Spangled Banner."
During the pre-game tribute, local fireman and police officers displayed an American flag that engulfed the entire field.
It looked awesome and felt even better.
During the anthem and "God Bless America" - Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish was the guest singer - Sun Devil Stadium went silent.
The food vendors stopped serving, the merchandise salesman stopped selling, and the fans stood still.
Once Rucker finished, the crowd erupted.
No, it was not because the Cardinals ran onto the field, obviously. Most of the fans there pulled for the Broncos.
The crowd chanted "U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A," over and over again for minutes. Nobody sat down. Everyone stood, waving the mini flags and chanting.
It was the loudest I've heard Sun Devil Stadium since Rod Tidwell scored the winning touchdown in the movie "Jerry Maguire."
A chill went down my spine. I was proud to be a part of it. It was one of the most thrilling moments I have ever experienced.
Sports, on both the college and professional level, showed their significance last weekend. Sports bring people together, no matter which team you root for.
Everyone in the crowd cheered for the same team - America.
Oh yeah, if you or anyone else cared, the Broncos won 38-17.
|
