Ending anthems at sporting events?

The owner of the NBA Dallas Mavericks has ordered the Star Spangled Banner not be played before home games. The NBA has backed the decision.

Is this is a trend you'd support in Canada? No more anthems before sporting events?

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/report-mavericks-stop-playing-national-anthem-games/

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Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said Tuesday he decided before this season began not to play the national anthem before the team's home games.

The Mavericks played their first 10 regular-season home games without fans. The club had fans for the first time in Monday's 127-122 win over Minnesota. Dallas is allowing 1,500 vaccinated essential workers to attend games for free.

Cuban didn't elaborate on his decision not to play the anthem, saying nobody had noticed. The Athletic first reported that Dallas had dropped the anthem.

NBA spokesman Tim Frank said, "Under the unique circumstances of this season, teams are permitted to run their pregame operations as they see fit."

Cuban was outspoken against critics of NBA players and coaches kneeling during "The Star-Spangled Banner" when the 2019-20 season resumed in the bubble in Florida last summer.

The pregame national anthem is a staple of American sports at both the professional and collegiate level, but is far less commonplace at pro sporting events in other countries.

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Overt expressions of patriotism has never been a real "thing" in this country. Typically,if it doesn't effect the game or interfere with Tim Horton's or The Legion, I doubt anyone would even notice.

So instead of getting rid of the players who use the the National Anthem as a platform to disrespect the Flag....they stop playing the National Anthem. And the Democrats won't stop it.

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Originally Posted by MikePal

So instead of getting rid of the players who use the the National Anthem as a platform to disrespect the Flag....they stop playing the National Anthem. And the Democrats won't stop it.

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Well,then,there's that,too,like to end gang shootings,take away guns from everyone.

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

Well,then,there's that,too,like to end gang shootings,take away guns from everyone.

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How wants to end gang shootings? The general public does not seem overly concerned with gang members killing each other its only when their is collateral damage that the chit hits the fan, ie Jane Creba.

I AM CANADIAN is a statement I am always proud to admit. I sing my anthem with pride and believe we are the best country in the world.
If I didn't I would look to live in the country I thought was the best if I could, I think.
When it comes to paid professional sports maybe we do have to look into whether playing anthems is the right thing to do, especially when you could have players from 20 different countries on the 2 teams involved.
Now, when it comes to amateur sports, like Olympics or World Juniors. There should only be 2 reasons you are participating.
#1) To be the best you can be.
#2) To stand tall and proud under your flag while the National Anthem of YOUR country that you competed for is played.
John

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

Overt expressions of patriotism has never been a real "thing" in this country. Typically,if it doesn't effect the game or interfere with Tim Horton's or The Legion, I doubt anyone would even notice.

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I disagree Trimmer, in my experience the singing of the national anthem at sports games is one of the ONLY times I see overt patriotism in Canada. I find it quite heartwarming to be in the crowd for a Leafs game and hear everyone singing along

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Originally Posted by 73hunter

I disagree Trimmer, in my experience the singing of the national anthem at sports games is one of the ONLY times I see overt patriotism in Canada. I find it quite heartwarming to be in the crowd for a Leafs game and hear everyone singing along

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Everyone? We must be going to different games.

Absolutely Hunter . Love the anthem before games. Brings a tear to my eye. Chokes me up. Especially when I can see many of those belting it out ,were not born here.Continue with it please.

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Originally Posted by Badenoch

Everyone? We must be going to different games.

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Ok, perhaps not EVERYONE.

Enough that it is noticeable.

Let me ask you this. How often do we see Canadian flags hanging in front of homes? I'm not saying Canadians don't have a sense of patriotism. What I AM saying is that we simply don't show it.

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

Let me ask you this. How often do we see Canadian flags hanging in front of homes? I'm not saying Canadians don't have a sense of patriotism. What I AM saying is that we simply don't show it.

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You are correct. Driving thru the US it's startling how many homes have a flag hanging on the porch...year round. We only see it here like that around Canada Day.

Something I noted years ago....Official bilingualism actually destroyed the enthusiastic singing of the National Anthem. Everything starts out great and then dies out when they get to the French version, which few older people know. So they stand there move their lips and then jump back in when it returns to English.

I don't think they sing the Anthem at school assemblies any more either. Used to be part of our education to sing it at gatherings.

NBA flip-flops on anthem. Teams must play it now.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article...-anthem-games/

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Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban relented Wednesday and the national anthem will be played before home games this season after the NBA reiterated its "longstanding league policy" to include the song.

The league's initial reaction to Cuban's decision was to say teams were free to conduct pregame activities as they wished with the unusual circumstances created by the coronavirus pandemic. Most teams don't have fans at home games.

But the NBA abruptly reversed course with Cuban's decision reverberating around the country, including a question put to White House press secretary Jen Psaki during her daily briefing. Athlete protests of social and racial injustice during the "The Star-Spangled Banner" became a flashpoint between then-President Donald Trump and various leagues during his administration.

"With NBA teams now in the process of welcoming fans back into their arenas, all teams will play the national anthem in keeping with longstanding league policy," the league said.

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

Let me ask you this. How often do we see Canadian flags hanging in front of homes? I'm not saying Canadians don't have a sense of patriotism. What I AM saying is that we simply don't show it.

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Canadian flags are fairly common on the waterfront in cottage country.
My neighbour here in Kanata - a German - has a Canadian flag up. ---he replaces it with a German one during the world cup though.

They used to play the national anthem on CBC at the beginning and end of the day (when TV wasn't 24 hours) and it went with a video of showing Canadians working across the country - forestry, oil works, fishing... I think it would benefit Canada if we went back to that a little more. The idea that as diverse as the country is, we are all Canadians and need to support each other *and* the industries we rely on. The regional pissing matches of Canadians trying to screw other Canadians over is very un-Canadian. PET started it and JT is picking it up. We are all Canadians and need to pull together.

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Originally Posted by MikePal

So instead of getting rid of the players who use the the National Anthem as a platform to disrespect the Flag....they stop playing the National Anthem. And the Democrats won't stop it.

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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?

Meh.......could care less what they do. Why give overpaid athletes a platform for their personal political beliefs. If they want to have a political protest that is fine.......do it on their time and their own dime. They are there to perform and play a game - JUST DO IT.

Kneeling was an integral part of the brainwashing.
Time to wake up folks!

On a side note, my country station here started playing the national anthem at 5:30 am. No idea when they started as I did not hear it during deer season, but woke up to it at the camp a month ago. The station is 93.5 FM.
John
(edit: I approve)

Americans are very patriotic. Love their flag. Yet they make underwear, g strings and everything else out of it. Seems contradictory.

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Originally Posted by 410001661

Meh.......could care less what they do. Why give overpaid athletes a platform for their personal political beliefs. If they want to have a political protest that is fine.......do it on their time and their own dime. They are there to perform and play a game - JUST DO IT.

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Yup..time and place for everything...shows a lot of disrespect not know that.

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

Cman.. That comment was very revealing . . Come on man, you have got to be better than that.:ashamed:

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Originally Posted by fishermccann

Absolutely Hunter . Love the anthem before games. Brings a tear to my eye. Chokes me up. Especially when I can see many of those belting it out ,were not born here.Continue with it please.

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I agree show's respect for both countries, recognizes the sacrifices made for our freedoms for citizens who served and are still serving.

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Originally Posted by 73hunter

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

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I don't stand for any anthem in Canada other than the Canadian.

Totally disrespectful and speaks volumes about your character.

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Originally Posted by sawbill

Totally disrespectful and speaks volumes about your character.

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I would tend to agree with sawbill, with the possible exceptions of a few countries like China or North Korea. Even then it would be dependant on the situation... government, total contempt for, people total sympathy for having such governments.

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Originally Posted by sawbill

Totally disrespectful and speaks volumes about your character.

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When I'm in Canada I have no obligation to stand for the American anthem when it is played here. When in the U.S. I don't get hot and bothered should an American not stand when the Canadian anthem is played before a sporting event.

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Originally Posted by mosquito

I would tend to agree with sawbill, with the possible exceptions of a few countries like China or North Korea. Even then it would be dependant on the situation... government, total contempt for, people total sympathy for having such governments.

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We agree on the principle but have different definitions of exceptions.

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Originally Posted by MikePal

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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The Olympics fine but especially with the MLB you have players being forced to stand and show respect for a nation that they feel has destroyed or is in the process of holding back their people.

Does anyone feel that Cubans should be forced to stand for the American anthem? What about Mexicans? They just had a president for 4 years who talked down and very personally about how horrible their people were and here they are being forced to stand?

The fact is that the people fought for freedom fought so that you were not forced to stand for the flag or the anthem, you could be pissed with what is going on. Trust me, if the Liberals changed the anthem to include Liberal doctrine and told you that you had to stand or risk arrest you would not feel the same way about the "respect" aspect of the anthem.

When I go to a ball game the last thing I see is a player from the Dominican or Cuba or Russia. I see a team from Toronto or Boston or where ever. If those players from the Dominican or Cuba are more concerned about the politics between governments then don't come here to play.