The return to normalcy took a backseat yesterday as NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue decided not to play this weekend's football games. The decision was a highly contentious one, and Tagliabue took his time consulting as many people as possible before making the decision.
To some, the debate was a complicated one. To others, like the players, it was a no-brainer - take the week off. Playing football this weekend could be seen as the best way for Americans to return to life as it was four days ago. It could be seen as a needed diversion for a mourning nation. Hopefully, the decision that hung over Tagliabue's head had nothing to do with lost revenue or scheduling problems.
There are arguments for a return to normalcy and a diversion, but the stronger opinion seems to be that we should focus on more sobering subjects this weekend. Two days after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, then-NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle had the option of suspending play. He did not, and it was a decision that haunted him for the rest of his career.
Tagliabue was faced with a similar decision, and it was the opinion of many that it would be unwise if he were not to learn from history. The player's association unequivocally stated that it did not want to play this weekend, as many players, like citizens throughout the rest of the country, have families or friends directly or indirectly affected by Tuesday's catastrophe.
Aside from the emotional aspect, which could have been enough to cancel games on its own, there are logistical and safety questions at play. First, travel is not only difficult but frightening. New York Jets' quarterback Vinny Testeverde, whose team was slated to play the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, has stated that the last thing he wants to do is fly across country, and who can blame him.
Further, to ask the New York Giants to focus on their home game against the Green Bay Packers with smoke from the World Trade Center serving as an unsettling backdrop seems unfair. Players and officials have also both mentioned the fact that tens of thousands of people sitting in a stadium could potentially be a target for further attacks, though the scenario of an assault on a stadium seems out of the realm of possibility.
One last security concern could spark from a desire to curtail any form of vigilante mob violence, and thousands of drunk, emotional, angry men appears a recipe for disaster.
Far-fetched or not, these were the scenarios Tagliabue had to deal with in the past few days. In addition, postponing this week's football games could result in a 15-game schedule, as there will not be time in the season to make up the missed week.
The leaders of other sports have followed a similar course of action. League sources have indicated that Major League Baseball has cancelled all games until Monday. The missed games will be made up the first week of October, pushing back the playoffs and World Series by a full week.
After some initial disagreements about whether or not to play on Saturday, NCAA Division I-A games have all been postponed.
A return to normalcy or a weekend of mourning? The sports world, and one of its most visible leaders - Tagliabue - had to make that decision this week.
What we can tell you from Week 1
Though opening week in the NFL is compartmentalized at the way back of everyone's consciousness, there were highlights from last Sunday and Monday... Though the San Diego Chargers were thought to be an improved team this year, no one expected a 30-3 destruction of the Washington Redskins. The Chargers had an excellent offseason, as they brought in Doug Flutie to start at quarterback for a few years while they train rookie Drew Brees.The Chargers, once criticized for trading away the number one pick in the draft, looked brilliant on Sunday as running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who was selected after the Chargers traded down, ran for 113 yards and two scores. The Chargers are no longer a guaranteed win for teams in the AFC West...Speaking of the AFC West, the Denver Broncos won the battle but lost a receiver on Monday night, as they defeated the Giants 31-20 but lost starting wideout Ed McCaffrey for the season...If the Chargers were a surprise, then the Carolina Panthers were off the charts, as 29-year-old rookie Chris Weinke looked like a 29-year-old veteran as he threw for 223 yards, one touchdown pass, and ran for another in Carolina's 24-13 upset of the Minnesota Vikings.
