The sad part is, people shouldn't feel they have to. You can't force anyone to have pride in their country, or show it by putting their hand over their heart during the National Anthem. I realize many athletes are from other countries, and don't expect it from them, but was talking about American citizens.
With all due respect I think you're taking it a little overboard. YOU and a portion of the American public might know the proper etiquette when the anthem is being played YET I wager a good portion don't know they're supposed to put the hand over the heart. I figure every American knows about removing hats because even if not told, it's announced at just about every event in which the Star Spangled Banner is played. The hand over heart thing is rarely if ever mentioned at such events and I figure a lot of people including the players in the NBA finals, don't know that part of the anthem etiquette. Plus, you mention and call out the players and athletes for being "ABOVE showing respect for their country now" but I'm not sure if you've attended the various NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, MLS, etc games. If you look away from the athletes and look to the stands, you'll see a significant number of fans without hands over their hearts. Is it because they're "above showing respect for their country" or because they don't know it's required? (edit- you did mention fans doing the same thing.) I'm going with the latter and one would hope that most if not all American adults would know but I truly feel a significant portion of American adults don't know.
to me, there's no need to play the national anthem before a sporting event, w/ the exception of an international event. but if i hear it playing b4 a game, i'd stand up and put my heart onto my chest. and i'd hate those who dont even take their hats off.
rest assured, everyone in the luxury boxseats has their hands on hearts though, thankful for protecting their corporations worldwide so they can enjoy freedom of leech
I did say fans in the stands don't do it as well. You might be right about some not knowing what it even means, especially if their parents never set examples for them. I also never said it was required of anyone, but simply a sign of respect.
Yeah that was my mistake, I edited my post to reflect that. I think it's all just a matter of knowledge of proper etiquette and like you said, parents and perhaps society as well.
Yeah, show some respect for the Flag. Especially at NFL games where they pay good money to showcase those fatigues. American Pie, Baseball, and Marketing. MURICA
I agree with showing respect for the national anthem. But I don't agree that it should be played before sporting events. It's just too much, especially for the athletes. Every single freaking game. And it's sports. What does that have to do with patriotism? It cheapens the anthem, IMO.
I mean just saying and all but if you were in the military you'd be saluting the flag not putting your hand over your heart. At least that's what my Step Dad an BFF do when it's played and they both served in the armed services.
Why would anyone be offended that the National Anthem is played before the game? America is basically a sponsor of the event. For ****s sake the NBA is the National Basketball League-- National pertaining to the nation of America and your saying we should be offended that the nation gets their anthem played before games? Are you also offended that you have to look at Adidas uniforms every single game or that you will have to look at Nike uniforms every game next year? Its the same reason any country plays their anthem before an event.. The event is held in their country and so that country is a sponser to it
I never said I thought it should be played before every game. It would be different if the team was composed of men and women serving their country, such as a military academy.
I don't see the need for playing a war anthem before sporting events, but that's just me. I mean, if it was that important, why isn't it played every morning at banks and other places of business? Why isn't it played before movies?
You realize adding National in front of something doesn't make it "official". I'm offended that it's played before every sporting event ever because it belittles what it stands for. How do I explain to my kids why the National Anthem is played before sporting events but no other times. Of course not. That's my point. It's a BUSINESS... it has as much to do with the National Anthem as the movie theater... yet the National Anthem isn't played before every movie I go see. Your reasoning makes no sense. Anything held in a country has that country as a sponsor to it? Weddings, corporate events, dinner at my house every night? Even if one was to say, indirectly, yes... that still doesn't impact whether or not the National Anthem should be played before said event. That appears to be solely up to the organizers of said event. Yes, I'm offended that the NBA and other sporting leagues are either trying to capitalize on the National Anthem, or believe themselves to be so uniquely important to the history of the nation as to play the National Anthem before every sporting event.
I knew you didn't say that. I was just pointing out that playing the anthem before every game cheapens it and it's understandable the players don't take it as seriously as it should. Think about this. If a bunch of American flags fell on the floor from a supermarket shelf during the July 4th season, it wouldn't create much of a fuss. But if the flag in front of the White House fell down, it would be a big deal. Context is important. Flags in a supermarket are cheap, somewhat like anthem before the game.
