Booing the anthem
by James Mirtle on Apr 21, 2009 6:00 AM CDT
58 comments
American hockey fans are miffed after last night's Bruins-Canadiens game, and I can't say I blame them. And it's for a familiar reason:
After the Montreal fans gave their time-honored display of classlessness in booing the Star-Spangled Banner, Michigan-born Tim Thomas feigned surprise. "I thought when Obama got elected (president) they were going to stop doing that?" cracked the Bruins goalie.
We've certainly seen this before and generally I'd chalk it up to a few idiots, but the past few incidents in Montreal certainly haven't seemed that way. Here are a few more reactions:
Montreal fans attempted to drown out the singing of the American anthem with boos before the game, a gesture probably not appreciated too much by Montreal defensemen Mike Komisarek (West Islip, N.Y.), Francois Bouillon (New York, N.Y.), Schneider (New York, N.Y.) and forward Chris Higgins (Smithtown, N.Y.).
The Montreal Canadiens fans booed the American national anthem at the Bell Centre last night and I just want to voice my disappointment. Go ahead and boo the Boston Bruins – they’re your opponent and they’re kicking your a$$ – but don’t disrespect an entire nation. It shows an extraordinary lack of class and really has no place in an NHL arena, especially during the playoffs.
Let me see if I can get this straight, Canadiens’ fans. You are getting mauled by the Bruins in this series, so in order to show support for your team you boo the American National Anthem? ... Furthermore, you chant, "Go Habs Go" as the American National Anthem is being sung? Really? You’re that classless and lost you resort to that? In my opinion that is absolutely pathetic. Not to mention this is not the first time this incident has taken place, you even had a public service announcement to curb it! Talk trash about the Bruins or any opposing team all you want, but to disrespect the Anthem is plain ridiculous. As I said before, I was never into the Bruins/Habs rivalry because I’m from Chicago, but actions like that are why you’re hated.
I don't disagree with any of that. And unfortunately it might be a case of no longer playing anthems in situations like this.
0 recs |
58 comments
| Add comment
|
Email
Print
Comments
Nah
You’ve got to play the anthems. If the fans want to boo, it’s classless but so it goes. There’s not much you can do to stop it, except respond with cheers or what-have-you in your own building.
Of course, Bruins fans might not get that opportunity. I’d be ok with that.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 21, 2009 6:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
There is no reason to play any anthem before a club-based sporting event. If anything, it should just be the anthem of the home team.
by smyttysmullet on Apr 21, 2009 6:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Anthems
Playing the anthems of the teams before a hockey game is a long standing tradition. As Smyttysmullet stated, there’s no actual reason for playing it, aside from tradition and respect for the visiting and home team.
While I do not condone or approve of what the Canadien fans did, I think it’s unfair that this is being reported a day after the same thing happened in St.Louis the DAY BEFORE, when a minority (small number) of St.Louis fans booed the Canadian anthem. The booing for the US anthem was far greater in terms of number of booers and the duration and loudness, but it’s unfair I think to get all riled up about this by comparison. As a Canadian I stand up for both anthems, and I boo neither, even when it’s World Hockey and its the States vs. Canada. I can understand you’d be upset if you’re a proud American and a hockey fan, heck even as a Canadian I think it was inappropriate, but I didn’t start posting when I heard the boos on Sunday watching the Canucks game when Americans were booing our anthem.
I don’t have an answer for how to control such poor behaviour, from a league, team or arena managerial position, but as a fan, if I’m in the audience and my neighbour starts booing another country’s anthem, I’m going to politely ask them not to.
by ceiling kat on Apr 21, 2009 7:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
subtle propaganda
It’s not really a longstanding tradition. It started in WWII to drum up nationalism. They used to be played before movies.
It’s just a song. People who get all worked up over this need to take a long hard look at their priorities and their worldview.
by sisu on Apr 21, 2009 7:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s not really a longstanding tradition. It started in WWII to drum up nationalism. They used to be played before movies.
It’s just a song. People who get all worked up over this need to take a long hard look at their priorities and their worldview.
But if it harkens back to WWII isn’t booing it, in some ways, disrespectful to the people who served in that war? That’s how I see it.
by David M. Getz on Apr 21, 2009 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, 60 years isn’t a very long time
by snowburnt on Apr 21, 2009 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aye. I’m currently taking a sports sociology class, and that’s the precise reason they play the National Anthem (and the same reason you’ll see military jets flying over football games etc.)
Fear The Fin: Where The Past Is Overrated
by Mr. Plank on Apr 21, 2009 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you sure they weren’t yelling “Blues”?
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 21, 2009 8:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes. Some people were booing.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Apr 21, 2009 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was there.
There was a very small number of people who booed at the start of the anthem, but it wasn’t really sustained or that loud. We (Blues fans) were all really pissed about it, leading to some angry threads over at Game Time.
http://www.stlouisgametime.com/
by cold on Apr 21, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
While I am loathe to come across as defending Montreal fans...
Do we really need to go through this again? This is not a new phenomenon, it is not unique to the NHL, and it is not patented by the notoriously brutish fans of the Bell Centre.
Those in the media that are once again hopping upon their nationalistic soapboxes need to take a second and consider the absurd level of intent that they’re projecting upon the fans. People aren’t using the hockey game as a forum for political discourse, they’re booing the American anthem because of its most simplistic association with the enemy team. If you flash a bear cub on the scoreboard, or even the color yellow for that matter you’re going to get the same damn reaction, neither of which is an attack on the actual subject. It’s simple transference of emotion exacerbated by a mob mentality; it’s not an international incident. In fact, considering the kind of real offenses that occur in the stands of sporting events, from your basic drunken misogyny and racism up to physical assault and rioting, its silly and irresponsible to act as though this is the problem worth reporting on.
The level of intent inferred in those quotes is silly. Do they honestly believe the folks are sitting in their seats thinking “yay finally a chance to say fuck you to all of America! boooooo! oh, except you Higgins, Bouillon, Schneider, and oh ya Komisarek , you guys are the 4 cool ones, we don’t mean you”. If this were truly anything more than sensationalistic drum-beating they wouldn’t be sliding in passive aggressive barbs directed at the Habs play (that part I applaud them for).
Perhaps these incidents just shed light on the fact that playing national anthems at sporting events is ridiculously outdated and should be abolished. We’ve reached the point where the internationalization of many sports has made playing the national anthems obsolete and potentially alienating to some of those involved. I disagree with you James in that I don’t think it would be unfortunate if we stopped playing anthems in situations like this, I see no reason relevant to the present state of the sport to continue the tradition.
If someone’s national pride is so fragile or zealous that they cannot separate the emotion of a sporting event from a genuine political attack than their mental problems are not going to be absolved by silencing a few yahoo’s in some distant stadium.
by ConfidoBoyd on Apr 21, 2009 7:17 AM CDT reply actions 4 recs
That’s exactly what I think. Very well said.
http://softeuropean.wordpress.com
by Grrrreg on Apr 21, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
…or even the color yellow for that matter…
I can imaging the habs fans booing the urinals between periods
by snowburnt on Apr 21, 2009 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point, but...
Your point about this being an attack on the Bruins rather than America is bang on, very important, and I think under-recognized. Fans would boo in that scenario not as a political statement but as a hockey statement.
However, I disagree in that I like anthems before games. I don’t see any harm in the tradition (unless this nonsense gets out of hand… let’s hope it doesn’t) and I like the fact that it is currently a tradition carried on mostly for traditions sake, something we don’t have very much of anymore.
by Metzgerhau on Apr 21, 2009 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
While I agree with you that it’s obviously a mob mentality directed at the other team, and not the other country, doesn’t make it right. It’s blatently, hands-down the wrong thing to do, and excusing it by essentially saying “It’s the passions of a few dumb fans” is rationalizing away something that’s incredibly disrespectful.
It’s flat-out inexcusable classlessness. Canadians and Americans are close allies and fought beside one another on many occasions. I think fans being unable to separate the anthem of friendly country from hockey opponent is unbelievably offensive.
I’m not offended because I think the booing fans are Anti-American (or for that matter Anti-Canadian), I’m offended because the booing fans don’t have enough wits and sense to be able to separate country from hockey club, and give one the respect it deserves.
by Jibblescribbits on Apr 22, 2009 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
These people are surprised?
This is the same fanbase that rioted in their own city after progressing from the first round last year. What are they going to do Wednesday night?! Hopefully they’ll finish the job.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Apr 21, 2009 7:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
These are the same fans that booed the English version of the Canadian anthem. I wouldn’t take it personally America.
by lb71 on Apr 21, 2009 7:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This almost happened during the Edmonton/Carolina Stanley Cup Finals. The fans of both teams were called out by the media for what is indeed rude behavior. It stopped and both cities heartily cheered both anthems. Be respectful for a moment and then you can cheer and boo all you want.
, since this is the city of Montreal, I don’t expect much.[/snark] :)
by Mr. Boots on Apr 21, 2009 8:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Boots
Is your Billionaire owner finally going to quit sucking out of the revenue sharing fund this year?
by Exit716 on Apr 21, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really?
As a Carolina fan, I don’t recall that. Matter of fact, I remember both arenas singing both anthems proudly right from the start of the Finals.
There were some issues in the West early in the 2006 playoffs. Edmonton fans started singing both anthems straight through in, I think, the second round, and the Canes fans made it a point in the Finals to try to match their class.
by JoshCVT on Apr 21, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pointless
What are we accomplishing by:
a) continuing this ridiculous tradition
b) telling people that they must react a certain way to it
c) getting all up in a tit every time this happens
d) failing to mention the large number of fans who tried to drown out the boos with cheers
All people do is use this as a soapbox for whatever issue they please. I don’t really get booing the anthems, but I don’t really get singing them before a hockey game either. They don’t sing “God Save the Queen” before Liverpool and Arsenal. There’s no reason to sing anthems before Montreal and Boston. People pay money to cheer their team. The only reason the American anthem is played is because Boston is in town… in fact, to point out how apolitical the booing actually is in Montreal… they actually freaking belt out the Canadian anthem. They used to boo that one too (which was political). In this situation, the “Star Spangled Banner” represents the Boston Bruins, not the USA. That is why mixing the two is absolutely ridiculous.
Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.
by saskhab on Apr 21, 2009 8:26 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Every major sports game in the US has the national anthem sung before it, stupid or not.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 21, 2009 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whoops, my point there is that if one league stops it becomes “Un-American” and loses fans and the terrorists win blah blah blah blah
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 21, 2009 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, we’ll have the same illogical jingoistic response in Canada as well. Canadians mix patiriotism and hockey way too much.
Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.
by saskhab on Apr 21, 2009 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course. It’s the NATIONAL SPORT!
When people say the HNIC theme was the second national anthem, that’s a hockey-mad country.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 21, 2009 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lacrosse was Canada’s national sport forever. They added hockey to be the second national sport just last decade.
Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.
by saskhab on Apr 21, 2009 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Saskhab – there is a question in Trivial Pursuit asking what was Canada’s national sport – and the answer was “Curling”.
by mc keeper on Apr 21, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s close, but not true. Curling is the official sport of Saskatchewan, though. :)
http://lois.justice.gc.ca/en/ShowFullDoc/cs/N-16.7///en
1994 was the year… Ice Hockey was named Canada’s national winter sport, while Lacrosse was dropped from Canada’s national sport to be Canada’s national summer sport. No word on spring or fall, though. :)
Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.
by saskhab on Apr 21, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, there is the point that if we stopped playing the anthem before hockey games, pretty soon no-one would remember the words…
And, yes.
I've been looking at the sky
by Back In Black on Apr 21, 2009 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
a) continuing this ridiculous tradition
Ridiculous? Is it really that ridiculous?
b) telling people that they must react a certain way to it
They don’t have to react a certain way, but they better be ready for us to complain about it verbaciously and vociferously online.
c) getting all up in a tit every time this happens
If they’re going to Boo a national anthem I’m going to squeeze a tit or whatever you just said.
d) failing to mention the large number of fans who tried to drown out the boos with cheers
This! I’m a fan of the Blackhawks for giving a standing ovation for the anthem, very cool.
by snowburnt on Apr 21, 2009 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If they’re going to Boo a national anthem I’m going to squeeze a tit or whatever you just said.
I don’t need booing to squeeze a tit.
Wait, what?
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there)
by Doogie2K on Apr 21, 2009 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rec’d
2008-2009 Colorado Avalanche: Dry Humping Mediocrity
by Mike @ MHH on Apr 22, 2009 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seems like a problem...
…Round 2 will more or less solve.
by BDH on Apr 21, 2009 8:41 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
A positive statement is much stronger than a negative one. For the Montreal fans to remain silent during the American anthem and join in O’ Canada 20,000 strong would send a classy and far more meaningful message. I still get shivers recalling Blackhawk fans cheering their national anthem before games in the 90s.
http://puckreport.blogspot.com
MG
by puckreport on Apr 21, 2009 9:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Or even Edmonton
During their Cup Finals run – that was incredible.
Shut up when you're talking to me!
by Afino on Apr 21, 2009 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Puckreport – it would take less effort for you if you put that puck report url in your signature rather than at the end of every post.
I, for one, would love to see this type of singalong happen more at the Garden. It worked in game 6 last year.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 21, 2009 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gee, this happened the night before in St. Louis (although not quite as loudly) towards the Canadian anthem, but it gets no play?
As others have mentioned, this is hardly new, and hardly unique to Canada or the Bell Center.
by Sweet Monkey Action on Apr 21, 2009 10:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I quite like the tradition of playing the national anthem before sports events. It’s a great part of the game day experience for me.
But I have to say that too many Montreal fans (both hockey and football back when I was attending CFL games in Ottawa and Montreal) are a breed apart. They even boo the little kids that carry the Sens flags in SBP before Sens games. Wound just a little too tightly.
by hockeycountry on Apr 21, 2009 10:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If this continues then the league might have to step in an access penalties to the home team. There’s a tradition of sorts in sports of holding the home team accountable for the conduct of their fans. It makes sense I guess.
I’m not sure what form the penalties would take. On-ice ‘bench’ penalties, fines, or loss of draft picks. If the league does go down this road I’m sure they’d give everyone lots of warning first.
by HockeyBroads.com on Apr 21, 2009 11:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That idea is just dumb enough for the NHL to go for it.
It does, and should, take a hell of a lot more than booing an anthem to penalize the team. What’s next, penalize the team for off-color chants? I’m telling you right now, Leafs fans will take the penalties over giving up the right to taunt Alfredsson.
by ConfidoBoyd on Apr 21, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I imagine transplanted Detroit fans might start booing at “home” games to get the home side a penalty.
by GOOLIAN on Apr 21, 2009 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Er...
Hasn’t this been going on long enough so that it’s not even a story anymore? Why are we still shocked and surprised by this? Some fans choose to be dicks about things – Canadiens fans choose to be dicks about American teams. This isn’t really a new thing up there.
Getting indignant about it now is rather reactionary and foolish, especially when, yeah, there’s American fans (different ones all the time) doing the same thing Canada seemingly each year as well.
by HockeyJoe on Apr 21, 2009 11:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I know Rush Limbaugh, Sean Insanity, and Mark Levin say I should be offended
But I’m not.
Really, I’m not.
Granted, I think it’s something only a D-bag would do, but it doesn’t bother me at all, as a mother loving, pie eating, Chevy driving American.
OK, I lied. I drive a Hyundai Elantra.
Defending Big D an SBN Dallas Stars Blog | TheStarsFans
by Brandon Bibb on Apr 21, 2009 11:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Granted, I think it’s something only a D-bag would do, but it doesn’t bother me at all, as a mother loving, pie eating, Chevy driving American.
You bought a Chevy with your share of the auto bailout, so it was basically a true statement anyway.
by GOOLIAN on Apr 21, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Something better to be mad at.
Its a song!
I played for my country and heard the Canadian Anthem booed it got me reved up.
Im sure Savard, Bergeron, Ryder, Kobasew, Axellsson, Krejci, Lucic, Yell, Thorton, Bitz, Recchi, Chara, Wideman, Ward, Ference, Hnidy, Montador were just pissed at that. HeHe.
There are better things to be mad about. Like honoring our fallen Soldiers. Cherry does it on on Hockey night. I hate him but I watch so I can donate to the soldiers family fund in thier names.
You guys weren’t even allowed to honor your fallen in the media. Thats sick. Get mad about that.
by rickithebear on Apr 21, 2009 1:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
To take rickthebear’s post a step further.
It was my country that was attacked on 9/11/01. We believe the source of the attack to be inside Afghanistan.
Even though Canada was not attacked, today there are Canadian soilders working side-by-side with American troops in Afghanistan. In everyone’s rush to focus on the anthem topic, please do not overlook their effort.
The antics of a few misguided fans pales in comparison their sarifices. In fact, iIf you know a Canadian solider, please tell them that this American appreciates their efforts.
NOTE : This is not intended to be contrued as an endorsement of war.
by cubanpuckstopper on Apr 21, 2009 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
the source of...
the attacks were inside the planes
and in the airports where insiders were paid off
by Canuckslicknutsak on Apr 21, 2009 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I care less about this...
than I do about classless fans throwing junk on the ice after a bad game by the home team. See Rangers/Caps, Game 3.
Glen Sather is a Hockey Genius.
http://glensathersucks.com/
http://twitter.com/ThGeneralissimo
by poploser on Apr 21, 2009 1:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think you’re thinking of game two at VC…
Ranger’s fans throw stuff onto the ice DURING the game.
by snowburnt on Apr 21, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why?
play anthemns anymore?
We are a global community esp hockey and the last 8 years has shown anyone with a brain how dangerous blind patriotism is
Nevertheless booing the anthemn is lame, just like the Canucks and Flames
by Canuckslicknutsak on Apr 21, 2009 2:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
San Jose got a lot of negative publicity for booing the Canadian national anthem against Edmonton in the playoffs a couple of years ago, something Dwayne Roloson keeps repeating to the national media.
The truth was that a dozen fans started booing, maybe a couple of dozen followed along, and 2 or 3 thousand starting singing the Canadian national anthem over them. More would have joined in but I assume they did not know the words. Now for each anthem the Sharks have line by line lyrics, and both are sung by many of the fans at HP Pavilion.
When the series returned to Edmonton in a show of class the fans there clapped and applauded during the U.S. anthem. Not sure why they did not sing it, but that is the response fans should look to follow.
by pj48 on Apr 21, 2009 7:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
booing the anthem
I agree this is completely uncalled for however James, why is Montreal your only focus? Sunday night in St. Louis the Canadian anthem was roundly booed but I don’t see anything about that & it certainly wasn’t in your lead story. Tell both ends of this issue please.
by jkr on Apr 21, 2009 9:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Didn’t hear about/read about that one, and looking back at the tape, it hardly sounds as pronounced as in Montreal.
Didn’t know I had a lead story!
by James Mirtle on Apr 22, 2009 12:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I, for one, do not appreciate or salute anthems at sporting events. I am there for entertainment, not to be forced into saluting a country I don’t believe in. This is the NHL, not the Olympics, where nationalism and pride are inherent in the fans and athletes heart’s and demeanor’s.
An ounce of confidence can carry you a mile toward winning. Oh, and Red Wings suck.
by texacogirl on Apr 21, 2009 11:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
just a thought:
how about starting out with the first few bars of the "Star Spangled Banner " and then segueing directly into “A Pittance of Time”?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYlrrAWCTRg
It’d be a fitting gesture to our brave allies to the north, and anyone who still found the need to boo would likely get themselves readjusted by the local talent.
by redc1c4 on Apr 22, 2009 12:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Something to say? Choose one of these options to log in.
On Facebook? Use Connect to join SB Nation. Share insights with fans and friends.- » Create a new SB Nation account
- » Already registered with SB Nation? Log in!
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Richard Park scores shorthanded in Isles' 4-1 win over Maple Leafs
- Kozun's four points leads the way as Calgary Hitmen thump Red Deer Rebels 8-1
- Anderson makes 48 saves, Stastny scores twice as Avalanche topple Stars 5-3
- Hornqvist scores late as Predators rally for 7th straight win over Kings 3-2
- Nesbitt has overtime winner as Ottawa 67's edge Sudbury Wolves 3-2
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
