By: David Andrews

(The Washington Post's Kevin Blackistone published an article examining the necessity of singing the National Anthem before sporting events. The article made me ponder its necessity myself.)

Militarism and Sports are two completely different institutions: one is for entertainment, the other to protect and serve a country. They, however, can be easily woven together to appreciate one another.

On bases around the globe, American soldiers pass the time by tossing a makeshift football or by hitting a rock with a stick. At the same time, Americans honor those serving our country by singing the National Anthem before any sporting event. The presentation of the colors is the utmost sign of respect for our country and for our military. Yankees fans and Red Sox fans, Eagle fans and Cowboys fans all ban together under one allegiance for a minute or two of their day. For that minute, we remember that we are all American first, fans second.

Athletes are often glorified as "warriors" and our "heroes." They play through the pain. They go into battle. It's extremely difficult to not associate sport synonymously with war terminology. In no way is it a sign of disrespect, but quite the opposite. Athletes are representing their team and their city when they go into opposition, much like soldiers are representing their country when they're fighting for their lives. It's almost as if athletes are metaphors themselves for the soldiers. We as fans can appreciate the battle being fought on the field and it can help us to remember that sport, although a living for some, is just sport and that there is a bigger picture to this world that involves actual heroes putting their lives on the "defensive" or "offensive" line for us. It's virtually impossible to segregate the two, for they are a part of a symbiotic relationship (the living together of two unlike things).

On the other side, soldiers are watching live sports broadcasts from around the globe. It helps them get away from war for three hours and remember the country back home and what they're fighting for. Even though fans that haven't experienced war can't imagine what war is like, soldiers are still fans. In this instance, sport is providing itself simply as entertainment and not as politics. It's an asylum for those soldiers who have grown up watching their teams for as long as they can remember. When they hear the National Anthem and see a stadium of 50,000 silent, standing Americans, they can see their support and can embrace the awareness of their presence elsewhere.

Herman Boone was the coach of T.C. Williams High School that inspired the Disney Movie "Remember the Titans." The movie is about a white school merging with a black school in times of hatred and segregation and how they banded together to win the Virginia High School State Championship. Boone said in a speech that "Remember the Titans" is used today as military training in all three branches of the United States Military to teach respect and what it means to ban together as a team.

Often, the current President of the United States throws out the first pitch at opening day or at a monumental game. In 2001, following the terrorist attacks of September 11, President George W. Bush walked out onto Yankee Stadium in front of a fragile New York crowd, alone. Although there was secret service positioned around the field, he stood alone on the pitchers mound. He smiled at the crowd, and gave them a thumbs up. Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike roared at the sight. America's Commander in Chief motioned to the nation that everything was OK. Much to the delight of the critical Yankee Stadium crowd, he then proceeded to fire a perfect strike for the ceremonial first pitch of Game 3 of the World Series.

As Kevin Blackistone reminded readers in his article provided below, many athletes left their sports behind to serve 'Uncle Sam.' Some people insist that Ted Williams probably would have been the greatest baseball player to ever live if he hadn't left his swat with the Red Sox to fight in World War I. The National Anthem is a sign of gratitude for all who have served and for those athletes who have given up on their dream for the greater good of their country.

In 1991, Whitney Houston walked onto Tampa Stadium before Super Bowl XXV. Accompanied by the Florida Orchestra, Houston delivered a timeless rendition that is still talked about today. America was in the midst of the Gulf War and it was the greatest mass military loss of life since Vietnam. Around the orchestra, soldiers were positioned, dawning the flags of all 50 states. In the stands that were already painted red, white and blue for the Bills and the Giants, almost every hand was waving an American flag. Houston didn't mess around or make it an improvised rendition; she sang it straight forward, and couldn't help but to remind all fans and viewers at home of the battle being fought on fields far from home.

In that moment, football didn't matter much like the World Series in 2001. The commercials and how much money went into making them didn't matter. All that mattered was celebrating America and those who are fighting for its freedom.

Kevin Blackistone's Article:

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/08/time-to-turn-off-national-anthem-before-sports-events/

Whitney Houston's National Anthem at Super Bowl XXV:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wupsPg5H6aE