Ending anthems at sporting events?

I wonder why the anthem is only played before sporting events? They don't play it before a music concert, or a play, or any other live gathering that I'm aware of.

I can remember in 1990 being at the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium for the opening game of the NFL season against Pittsburgh. This was just a few weeks after the first gulf war started. Browns and Steeler fans were arguing and fighting in the stands before the game even began. But when they announced the colour guard in honour of the troops fighting overseas, all differences stopped, and the place erupted in cheers - 80,000+ strong. When they played the national anthem, all hats were removed, many placed hands placed over their hearts, and the sound of the crowd singing overwhelmed the anthem music. I'll never forget that display of patriotism.

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Originally Posted by Fox

Kneeling is not disrespecting the flag.

Being able to kneel is what is important.

I don't know why you play the anthem at the games anyway, in the US they play the anthem at the start of a ball game then plan they play God Bless America in the 7th inning stretch. The game is international yet they need to play these songs. Carlos Delgado would refuse to stand for these songs, he was an ex Jay and a Puerto Rican who felt that his place of birth was being unfairly treated by the US, why should he have to stand?

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God Bless America was an post-9/11 initiative. It's fallen out of favour in most U.S. ballparks except Yankee Stadium or on July 4.

I support playing the anthem 100% and agree with Werner too, we need to be reminded of the reasons we should be proud and reminded to support each other.

For those who don’t like the anthem, just wait until sporting events start with the acknowledgement that all of us are occupying Indigenous land and we are expected to accept the same indoctrination that our children are subjected to every morning at school.

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Originally Posted by Badenoch

God Bless America was an post-9/11 initiative. It's fallen out of favour in most U.S. ballparks except Yankee Stadium or on July 4.

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I think they should just stop the anthem period, no matter what sport there are people playing from all parts of the world, rightfully if they want to plan an anthem in an NHL arena they should have for every game the US, Canadian, Swedish, Russian, Finnish, Swiss, Germany, Latvian, Czech, British and I know I am missing one or two.

This is not a long term historical thing, this was pretty recently done in the grand scheme of things.

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Originally Posted by Fox

I think they should just stop the anthem period, no matter what sport there are people playing from all parts of the world, rightfully if they want to plan an anthem in an NHL arena they should have for every game the US, Canadian, Swedish, Russian, Finnish, Swiss, Germany, Latvian, Czech, British and I know I am missing one or two.

This is not a long term historical thing, this was pretty recently done in the grand scheme of things.

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The anthem is played to recognize the country of the host team and the country of the visiting team, not the individuals that play on the teams. If both teams from the same country, one anthem. If from two different countries, two anthems.

Delmar, you hit it right on the nose. And I know this: once the national anthem starts at a local hockey game here and someone doesn't remove their hat, they hear about it tooty sweet.

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Originally Posted by delmer

The anthem is played to recognize the country of the host team and the country of the visiting team, not the individuals that play on the teams. If both teams from the same country, one anthem. If from two different countries, two anthems.

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So why is it necessary? You can have 2 teams without a single Canadian on it in Canada and we have to play the anthem, what does it actually accomplish.

The Canadian comedian Lorne Elliot talked of the Canadian anthem.

"I mean, they changed the words so many time you don't even know what to sing. You have "O Canada", got that, it is the name of the song, then 'hmm hmm hmm hm hm hm hmmmmm, when will the hockey game start, I think I need a beer"

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Originally Posted by sawbill

Delmar, you hit it right on the nose. And I know this: once the national anthem starts at a local hockey game here and someone doesn't remove their hat, they hear about it tooty sweet.

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I guess it's a generational thing, most of us older guys went to school post war when Nationalism was still a big part of the country's psyche. We stood in class every morning and respected the Flag hanging in the corner as the Nation Anthem was played. I grew up on Military bases with soldiers and airmen that had been to war and were still in the community. So even the flag at the HQ building being raised and lower required everyone to stop, exit their vehicle and face it.

This generation wasn't taught that, they "don't 'get it". They haven't seen our country in conflict in their lifetimes. There is no National pride now.

We've become a Global society, like Fox says most players are foreigners. Society seems to see little 'value' in showing respect to the National Anthem when we gather in places like sports events.

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Originally Posted by sawbill

Delmar, you hit it right on the nose. And I know this: once the national anthem starts at a local hockey game here and someone doesn't remove their hat, they hear about it tooty sweet.

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I'll stand for the Canadian anthem but not for the American unless I'm in America.

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Originally Posted by Badenoch

I'll stand for the Canadian anthem but not for the American unless I'm in America.

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I think that’s a very disrespectful view to take. If you grew up here, you grew up free, and that freedom was largely paid for by the American taxpayer 1950-present