The game is supposed to be an escape, not a political rally. Then again, you can get sucked into the visceral vortex when booing starts.
You know you’ve struck a vein when you start poking around the validity and responses to national anthems as a prelude to professional sporting events.
There will be blood.
Sports and politics are like oil and water, they’re not supposed to mix and they usually don’t. After all, you watch or attend games to get away from the daily drudgery of grinding away to make ends meet.
It’s supposed to be an escape, not a political rally. Then again, you can get sucked into the visceral vortex.
The email inbox fills up fast in the great debate over booing the U.S. anthem prior to Vancouver Canucks’ home games. Everybody has an opinion.
It initially seemed like the perfect patriotic response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order to apply a 25 per cent trade tariffs to this country — even though it has been put on pause for at least 30 days.
It all led to another raucous reaction Tuesday to the U.S anthem at Rogers Arena.
The booing has had a galvanizing impact and gained widespread attention on both sides of the border. On Monday, the Nashville Predators’ fans booed the Canadian anthem before hosting the Ottawa Senators.
It was a counterpunch to the U.S, anthem being booed in Ottawa. However, Quebec native Jonathan Marchessault of the Predators put it into perspective of missing the bigger picture that anthems represent.
After all, he is Canadian and makes his living in the U.S.
“I don’t think anything should be said for any anthems,” he told The Tennessean following Monday’s game. “The anthem is not made for political views, it’s made for respecting the veterans and the people who defended our countries.
“It’s bigger than trying to give a shot to the other country.”
So, now what?
Do fans keep turning up the temperature and place anthem singers in an awkward spot, or do we just move on? After all, the point has been made and big points scored to know we won’t back down from a bully.
However, you also have to know when to get into a fight over what is right for Canada. And more importantly, know when to get out.
Then again, when the 30-day tariff pause passes, political rhetoric will rise again on both sides of the border. Will it be accompanied by more arena anthem boos?
We shall see.
The booing has raised questions about alternatives. Do Canadian NHL franchises play a recording to save singers from the awkward experience? Or, do we simply do away with the practise of pre-game anthems — which seems like a real stretch and lack of respect.
Canucks winger Kiefer Sherwood was born in Columbus, Ohio, a politically-charged state that’s a big voting player in determining the presidency. His response to anthem booing Tuesday morning was telling.
What did he think of what he heard here Sunday?
“It’s hard to mix politics and sports,” stressed Sherwood. “I don’t know if I’m a fan of booing any anthem. I understand that there’s a lot of passion from our fans, but I also believe in respect.
“The beauty of it is we’re free to express what we want to, but I wouldn’t want to disrespect the anthem singer either.
“At the end of the day, our fans care and it’s up to them in how they want to channel it, I guess. Anthems are a sign to show respect for the great land and country that we live and play in — both in the U.S. and Canada.”