Growing up in Tidewater Virginia I was a big Redskins fan. In my early days they were horrible, yet they always played hard and the fans loved them. The "Braves on the Warpath" always attracted big crowds as they do today, but no game brought the enthusiasm and zaniness like a match up with their perennial nemesis, the dreaded Dallas Cowboys. I always had great respect for the Cowboys but, of course, "hated" them at game time, or at least in the manner that a young boy expresses himself about their arch rival.
Today with free agency and the continual swap of players, watered down rules and the loss of pride in the home team that so many feel because of the lack of team continuity in make-up, it is not nearly as exciting and fun to go to an NFL game. And, of course, the behavior of the crowd with exceedingly foul language has done much to take the family out of the game. But I was very pleasantly surprised to find that the two teams that still have my respect in the NFL, the Redskins and the Cowboys, took a great stand in support of honoring the flag of our country.
Before the Cowboys' game Sunday, the fifteenth anniversary of 9/11, owner Jerry Jones went before his team and explained to them the importance of the ceremonial aspects of the game and that he expected each of his players to stand and honor the flag. He further informed them that they were all actors, actors on his stage, and he would not expect any other action, stating that there is a time and place for individual stands to be taken and this was not one of them. Thank you, Jerry Jones, for doing something that most of us have been thinking about and for standing up for our nation's honor.
And then, over in Washington with a different game, the pre-game ceremony involved the unfolding of a huge America flag that covered the entire playing field. What did the Redskins' players do? They walked out on the field and assisted in holding the unfolded flag for the ceremony, their way of saluting America. It was another great example of patriotism and support for the importance of tradition in America. Of course, we shouldn't be surprised because Dan Snider's Redskins have stood by their team name and have refused to bow to tyranny by an out-of-control government. It was a great stand against political correctness and millions salute them for it.
So three cheers to both the Redskin and Cowboy organizations and teams for taking a stand for honor when so many cower silently and allow our heritage to be trashed. Sometimes you just have to stand for something and it's refreshing to see these two long time rivals show the way.
Today with free agency and the continual swap of players, watered down rules and the loss of pride in the home team that so many feel because of the lack of team continuity in make-up, it is not nearly as exciting and fun to go to an NFL game. And, of course, the behavior of the crowd with exceedingly foul language has done much to take the family out of the game. But I was very pleasantly surprised to find that the two teams that still have my respect in the NFL, the Redskins and the Cowboys, took a great stand in support of honoring the flag of our country.
Before the Cowboys' game Sunday, the fifteenth anniversary of 9/11, owner Jerry Jones went before his team and explained to them the importance of the ceremonial aspects of the game and that he expected each of his players to stand and honor the flag. He further informed them that they were all actors, actors on his stage, and he would not expect any other action, stating that there is a time and place for individual stands to be taken and this was not one of them. Thank you, Jerry Jones, for doing something that most of us have been thinking about and for standing up for our nation's honor.
And then, over in Washington with a different game, the pre-game ceremony involved the unfolding of a huge America flag that covered the entire playing field. What did the Redskins' players do? They walked out on the field and assisted in holding the unfolded flag for the ceremony, their way of saluting America. It was another great example of patriotism and support for the importance of tradition in America. Of course, we shouldn't be surprised because Dan Snider's Redskins have stood by their team name and have refused to bow to tyranny by an out-of-control government. It was a great stand against political correctness and millions salute them for it.
So three cheers to both the Redskin and Cowboy organizations and teams for taking a stand for honor when so many cower silently and allow our heritage to be trashed. Sometimes you just have to stand for something and it's refreshing to see these two long time rivals show the way.
RSS Feed