Letter to the Editor:
Sporting traditions cross the line
Published Feb. 9, 2010
Our national anthem ends with the words, "O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave? O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"?? So our flag waves over the free citizens and the brave soldiers who made and preserve that freedom. We are generally only reminded of these words before sporting events, so when people tarnish even those few chances to hear it, it bothers me. I love Mizzou but we have derived a tradition from a professional football team that crosses the line. This tradition is to conclude each national anthem with many students yelling "Chiefs" instead of "Brave." Being a person in consideration of pursing a career in the military, it genuinely offends me when the students say this. I can't imagine what an active service member or veteran thinks or feels. A couple of games ago, Mizzou welcomed twin brothers who fought in World War II. Imagine all of the people they knew and saw die for our country, the brave, get replaced in a song by the Chiefs.? Yes, this is disrespecting the world's strongest military currently at war to favor arguably one of the weaker franchises in the country. The Chiefs are 10-38 over the last three seasons. Compare that with winning an independence, a couple of world wars and more.? While it might seem like a small sporting tradition to some, I can't think of one group of people to respect more than the Brave.
Comments (7)
10:59 a.m., Feb. 9, 2010
True Missourian said:
Thanks Taylor, I want to say that I am genuinly sorry that the ugly step sister of St. Louis has to ruin the National Anthem for everyone. I too am offended by the people who root for horrible teams even when they are at college (i.e. Chiefs and Royals.) So please Kansas City, get a life or get out of here, if you dont want to be an American, at least get out of Missouri and move a few miles over to Kansas where even God Hates it there!
1:29 p.m., Feb. 9, 2010
Steve F said:
Bob McCa, you completely miss the point. It's the National Anthem, not the regional pride anthem. And it is disrespectful not to sing it as it was written. Further, what do the Chiefs have to do with MU anyway.
2:50 p.m., Feb. 9, 2010
Schmidty said:
Bob-- Altering the National Anthem has nothing to do with pride and everything to do with ignorance. You get to live in such a great country because a lot of people made a lot of sacrifices. Maybe you can sacrifice the need to change the National Anthem. Please don't suggest that Mr. Fox "get over it." You are the one that is in the wrong here.
9:31 p.m., Feb. 9, 2010
Concerned said:
I find this conversation so interesting... thanks to its sheer stupidity. First, our country is based on the principles of freedom. So why are we bashing each others' heads over how we describe ourselves in a free manner? The word "brave" in the National Anthem describes Americans. If one American wants to identify him or herself as a chief and not a brave, so be it. This is the land of the free, that's what makes it great. Second, since when was the word chief synonymous with the words "barbarian", "criminal", or "fool"? I have the answer: never. So why are we treating it like such a horrible word to describe one's self as? A chief is defined as one who leads. What's wrong with that? We're America, we're leaders in so many facets internationally... Seems like that's the perfect way to describe ourselves. Third, one would think that through the numerous decades this phrase has been uttered at Arrowhead a local VFW or veteran group would oppose its use. I ask of anyone reading this letter to do a simple google search for any military group that opposes it... After a good ten to fifteen minutes of searching, you won't find any. Finally, I question the intentions of this argument. Judging by Mr. Fox's and "True Missourian"'s desire to bring up trivial things like the recent record of the Chiefs and the characteristics of those who live in Kansas City, I don't think this is an argument that focuses on the country's beauty. Instead, it seems like one that focuses on the alleged shortcomings of a city in this great state and more so why it shouldn't be spoken in the same sentence as America... Full disclosure: I'm from Chicago. If you're going to make this argument, you should actually incorporate the real feelings of those fought for this country, not baseless claims against KC and the validity of a word that means leader.
10:09 p.m., Feb. 14, 2010
Andrew said:
For the person who said they are offended by people who root for terrible teams: Are you kidding me? Being a Mizzou fan, I'm sure you supported them through all those not so sucessful years because you are a true fan, fair weather fans are the worst. That's what great about Chiefs fans, they are the best in the NFL and never abandon their team when they aren't doing so well. Furthermore, I think so many people say it because most people from Missouri are Chiefs fans as KC is a football town just like most people are Cardinals fans with STL being a baseball town. You don't see too many Royals or Rams fans. So I agree with whoever said it was a source of regional pride.
2 p.m., Feb. 28, 2010
Bottom Line said:
I think we can all agree that if one wants to say "Chiefs" at the end of the National Anthem then that is their right. But if you do then it is everyone elses right to refer to you as an ignorant douchebag. And they are more than right.
8:20 a.m., Feb. 9, 2010
Bob McCa said:
Oh Boo Hoo! Go cry elsewhere. There is no disrespect. It's regional pride. It's the United STATES of America and they have pride in where they are from. Get over it.