M-Borg vs. THE Flavortown U Thread, Orig. by Buckeye Paul, absconded w/by talent.

[Optimus Prime]

Me either, just sporting events for me, even attending events in Canada or Europe, I tear up. Countless US family members have served mostly notably my grandfather, parachuted into Nazi-occupied Normandy as 22-year old, never thought he'd make it out alive. Unfortunately 80% of his platoon were buried in France. My brother & I as kids always asked him for "war stories" but they were few and obviously very painful for him, God rest his soul.

[Jamie H]

I gotta agree that I like the anthems being played. To me it says "be grateful that you live in a country that allows you to be well enough off that you can waste the next 3-4 hours of your life watching a trivial sporting event instead of looking for something to eat and a safe place to sleep for the night." I don't think it trivalizes the anthem at all.

If it weren't for sporting events we would almost never hear it.

[lineygoblue]

I like how NHL games always include the Canadian national anthem before games where a Canadian team is participating. It shows a lot of class, and its fully appropriate. A lot of Canadians died in WWII as well, and they fully participated in D-Day shoulder-to-shoulder with the US. That's why I have never been able to build up any anger toward Canada. They're fine people, and we're fortunate to have them as our next door neighbors.

[hack]

Why wouldn't they play the Canadian anthem?

[Jamie H]

Well, theoretically you only play the anthem of the cities involved, not the players. I don't think NFL Europe plays the US anthem even though 90% of the players were from the US. But I really don't know what they do over in Europe at all.

[hack]

The team is, after all, a representative of the city it's based in.

[Jamie H]

Right. I thought linesman said they played the Canadian anthem at games where NO Canadian teams were playing, but I misread.

[Jeff Buchanan]

...I volunteered my service and served my country, thats enough for me.

Despite the absolute disgust I have at how my gov't currently (mal)functions, I still tear up when singing the nat'l anthem. It means something to me and I never tire of hearing it.

Exactly .... thanks, Jon.

[Optimus Prime]

Mikes Stoops doesn't join Nebraska, oh Urban Fryer that must suck.

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/22/no-stoops-for-you-huskers-stay-in-house-for-new-dc/

[Dr. Strangelove]

Listen to OP half-heartedly mock Pope Urban and try to pretend he doesn't admire the man.

[Dr. Strangelove]

RE: the Star Spangled Banner. The sacredness of the song aside, I think it weakens its impact when you insist upon playing it before every single sporting event in America. I don't feel it's necessary to start off a Lakewood High School vs. Bedford Heights HS wrestling match with a rousing rendition of the national anthem anymore than having the crowd stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance before settling in to watch a tee ball game.

On a historical note, the song has only been the national anthem since 1931 and didn't become wedded to sports events until WWII. The only "national anthem" the Founders knew was Hail, Columbia, which virtually no one today can even hum. Would the Founders find that disgraceful? I have no clue.

[youtube]FyIqvZSuptk[/youtube]

[Optimus Prime]

Listen to OP half-heartedly mock Pope Urban and try to pretend he doesn't admire the man.

Shouldn't you be Christmas Caroling?

[Jamie H]

On a historical note, the song has only been the national anthem since 1931 and didn't become wedded to sports events until WWII.

While it's true that it wasn't "official" until 1931, it had been in use in that capacity for a while, back into the nineteenth century. How exclusive that use was or wasn't I don't know.

As for WWII, LOTS of thiings weren't done until WWII. WWII introduced lots of patriotric trappings (some would say bordering on propaganda) to try to unify and boost morale among the US populace and some of them stuck permanently.

[Optimus Prime]

Looks like Urban Fryer will be stuck with Luke Fickell after all which is a good thing IMO. Paul Chryst was hired as the new HC of Pitt. A little too late as it appears Fickell has finally realized that OSU never had his interest in mind.

Anyway, let's hope that there will be a strained and dysfunctional relationship on the sidelines next fall, oh and if you are looking for Luke, he will be the DC wearing the hat, according to Meyer.

Last, maybe the Fyer will make a call to Tressel and with his MOB connections, Fickell may end up like Luca Brasi, "Swimmin' with the fishes"?

http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2011-12-22/wisconsin-assistant-paul-chryst-to-coach-at-pitt

[hack]

What's really the story there? Fickell was Tressell's defensive coordinator and he ran great defenses. Is there a reason Meyer doesn't want him to continue in that role apart from just wanting to bring in guys who are his own? It's not as if Meyer has a DC that would normally come with him.