Volume CXXXIII, Number 2 September 14, 2001 f

Terrorist attacks put collegiate and
professional sports world on hold
J.P. BOX
Assistant Sports Editor

Due to the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., the collegiate and professional sporting world has postponed and canceled a rash of games and events. The destruction of the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and human life made it impossible for athletes and fans to embrace any athletic endeavors immediately following such a tragedy.

Pittsburgh Steeler running back Jerome Bettis said, “The country is in mourning, and we are the country’s entertainment. I don’t know if the country wants to be entertained right now.”

The National Football League decided on Thursday that this weekend’s games would be either postponed or canceled. If the games cannot be rescheduled, the NFL will play a 15-game schedule and adjust the playoff picture accordingly.

All NCAA D-IA football games have also been postponed due to the NFL’s decision to forgo this week’s games as well as the difficulty to travel in this upcoming weekend.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig postponed all games this week as well as the weekend games. In total, 91 games will be delayed—the most since 1918 when World War I put similar stresses upon the season.
According to San Fransisco Giants Shawon Dunston, “You can’t think about baseball. Baseball is a game. This is life. This is serious. America is in shambles, but they’ll get it together.”

Home run king Mark McGwire chastised the league for taking such a long time to decide to postpone the games: “For people to think it’s OK to play sports this weekend is absolutely insane. This is the worst thing that can ever happen to the country and people are worried about making decisions on playing sporting events.”

The National Hockey League, whose preseason was supposed to start this weekend, also canceled its games in deference to what happened.

Likewise, all PGA golf events, including the World Golf Championship and the Vantage Championship senior tournament, have been canceled.

“It’s a good decision. This was the worst disaster ever. We can’t go play a $5 million event,” said golfer Ernie Els.

In addition, boxing events, soccer, motor sports, and horse racing have all accordingly canceled or postponed any of their contests this week and weekend.