Game cancellation provides no-win situation

Though it may sound trivial in the face of recent tragedies, Saturday's football game against Notre Dame has been postponed.

But it's not about football.

Officials announced Wednesday night that Saturday's game will be canceled in response to the tragic attacks on America Tuesday. After all, how can we hope to take joy in sport when there are larger, more terrible issues to consider, victims to be mourned and wounds to be healed?

This is a no-win situation. By not having the game, we send a message that we are disrupting our routine because of the successes of cowardly acts. And if we did have a game, it would send a message that we value entertainment over the lives of those lost.

If there were football on Saturday, those involved could not fully concentrate on the game on the field as this week has shown us that there is much more to the world than games. Players lacking concentration could be permanently injured or killed. Fans watching the game would most likely find difficulty finding joy in rooting for their team. Media covering the game and coaching and training staffs all were affected negatively by these horrors and to expect them to perform their job competently is more than unreasonable.

Many expect Saturday to be declared an official day of mourning, it would appear callous and insensitive to engage in and enjoy trivial entertainment.

We need to pause and reflect. But we must move on.

Football will and must return. We need to return to the order and the activities that brought us joy in order to triumph over this tragedy.

This weekend, we need to remember the people, too. Those who died or were injured, or even those in mourning for loved ones lost. This is a solemn weekend ahead, the first step in a painful healing process.

Editorial Board: Keith Thomas, Tom McHenry, Erica Sagon, John Wakefield, Shawn McGann.

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