Pet Peeve - Star Spangled Banner

beast of the east

beast of the east

Active member
Since nearly all of us watched the Super Bowl, I thought it was really awesome to listen to the crowd explode in raucous cheering for our troops every time the screen flashed to those troops watching the game in Afghanistan. Unabashed signs of patriotism in these divided times are a reminder that there are things bigger than the game we watch and play. When I see the sacrifices (up to and including ultimate sacrifices) our troops make for our flag and country, it is a great expression by fans.

So here's the pet peeve part. Paying attention to the national anthem played at SJU games at CA and the Garden, it seems that our opponents are much more respectful in standing at attention, many or most with their hands over their hearts with their eyes on our flag. Our guys mostly mug the NBA shuffle - hands behind their back, swaying back and forth. Compared to our opponents, I think it just looks bad.

I know we have a lot of foreign players, who of course should not be required to salute our flag in this manner, but they should at least stand at attention with their eyes in front of them. Our American players should be required to salute the flag unless they have a huge contentious or religious reason not to do so. It goes without saying that our coaches should all salute the flag in the same way.

Other fans have noticed this too, and I'd like to hear your opinions. I don't think this has much to do with winning or losing, so opinions such as "I don't care as long as we win" really aren't germane to this discussion - of course "I don't care" is acceptable IMO.
 
Since nearly all of us watched the Super Bowl, I thought it was really awesome to listen to the crowd explode in raucous cheering for our troops every time the screen flashed to those troops watching the game in Afghanistan. Unabashed signs of patriotism in these divided times are a reminder that there are things bigger than the game we watch and play. When I see the sacrifices (up to and including ultimate sacrifices) our troops make for our flag and country, it is a great expression by fans.

So here's the pet peeve part. Paying attention to the national anthem played at SJU games at CA and the Garden, it seems that our opponents are much more respectful in standing at attention, many or most with their hands over their hearts with their eyes on our flag. Our guys mostly mug the NBA shuffle - hands behind their back, swaying back and forth. Compared to our opponents, I think it just looks bad.

I know we have a lot of foreign players, who of course should not be required to salute our flag in this manner, but they should at least stand at attention with their eyes in front of them. Our American players should be required to salute the flag unless they have a huge contentious or religious reason not to do so. It goes without saying that our coaches should all salute the flag in the same way.

Other fans have noticed this too, and I'd like to hear your opinions. I don't think this has much to do with winning or losing, so opinions such as "I don't care as long as we win" really aren't germane to this discussion - of course "I don't care" is acceptable IMO.
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Least of our problems
 
Since nearly all of us watched the Super Bowl, I thought it was really awesome to listen to the crowd explode in raucous cheering for our troops every time the screen flashed to those troops watching the game in Afghanistan. Unabashed signs of patriotism in these divided times are a reminder that there are things bigger than the game we watch and play. When I see the sacrifices (up to and including ultimate sacrifices) our troops make for our flag and country, it is a great expression by fans.

So here's the pet peeve part. Paying attention to the national anthem played at SJU games at CA and the Garden, it seems that our opponents are much more respectful in standing at attention, many or most with their hands over their hearts with their eyes on our flag. Our guys mostly mug the NBA shuffle - hands behind their back, swaying back and forth. Compared to our opponents, I think it just looks bad.

I know we have a lot of foreign players, who of course should not be required to salute our flag in this manner, but they should at least stand at attention with their eyes in front of them. Our American players should be required to salute the flag unless they have a huge contentious or religious reason not to do so. It goes without saying that our coaches should all salute the flag in the same way.

Other fans have noticed this too, and I'd like to hear your opinions. I don't think this has much to do with winning or losing, so opinions such as "I don't care as long as we win" really aren't germane to this discussion - of course "I don't care" is acceptable IMO.
Click to expand...

Are you complaining about hand over heart or not standing at attention. It is perfectly acceptable to stand at attention without hand over heart, military or non military while indoors. Hand over heart is relatively new and is not required during the Nat'l Anthem.

Slow news day?
 
Whew, when I saw the thread title I thought you were going to complain about Lady Gaga's rendition. Now I don't have to call you a crotchety old man. :lol:
 
Since nearly all of us watched the Super Bowl, I thought it was really awesome to listen to the crowd explode in raucous cheering for our troops every time the screen flashed to those troops watching the game in Afghanistan. Unabashed signs of patriotism in these divided times are a reminder that there are things bigger than the game we watch and play. When I see the sacrifices (up to and including ultimate sacrifices) our troops make for our flag and country, it is a great expression by fans.

So here's the pet peeve part. Paying attention to the national anthem played at SJU games at CA and the Garden, it seems that our opponents are much more respectful in standing at attention, many or most with their hands over their hearts with their eyes on our flag. Our guys mostly mug the NBA shuffle - hands behind their back, swaying back and forth. Compared to our opponents, I think it just looks bad.

I know we have a lot of foreign players, who of course should not be required to salute our flag in this manner, but they should at least stand at attention with their eyes in front of them. Our American players should be required to salute the flag unless they have a huge contentious or religious reason not to do so. It goes without saying that our coaches should all salute the flag in the same way.

Other fans have noticed this too, and I'd like to hear your opinions. I don't think this has much to do with winning or losing, so opinions such as "I don't care as long as we win" really aren't germane to this discussion - of course "I don't care" is acceptable IMO.
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Haven't noticed any disrespect from our guys during the Anthem. I think it's fine just to stand and if you're wearing a hat, to remove it. The only ones who I've ever seen actually salute the flag are members of the military or law enforcement. It may be required of them. I don't know.
 
My opinion on this? If they never played the National Anthem before a sporting event, I'd go to just as many games as I do now.
 
Since nearly all of us watched the Super Bowl, I thought it was really awesome to listen to the crowd explode in raucous cheering for our troops every time the screen flashed to those troops watching the game in Afghanistan. Unabashed signs of patriotism in these divided times are a reminder that there are things bigger than the game we watch and play. When I see the sacrifices (up to and including ultimate sacrifices) our troops make for our flag and country, it is a great expression by fans.

So here's the pet peeve part. Paying attention to the national anthem played at SJU games at CA and the Garden, it seems that our opponents are much more respectful in standing at attention, many or most with their hands over their hearts with their eyes on our flag. Our guys mostly mug the NBA shuffle - hands behind their back, swaying back and forth. Compared to our opponents, I think it just looks bad.

I know we have a lot of foreign players, who of course should not be required to salute our flag in this manner, but they should at least stand at attention with their eyes in front of them. Our American players should be required to salute the flag unless they have a huge contentious or religious reason not to do so. It goes without saying that our coaches should all salute the flag in the same way.

Other fans have noticed this too, and I'd like to hear your opinions. I don't think this has much to do with winning or losing, so opinions such as "I don't care as long as we win" really aren't germane to this discussion - of course "I don't care" is acceptable IMO.
Click to expand...

Are you complaining about hand over heart or not standing at attention. It is perfectly acceptable to stand at attention without hand over heart, military or non military while indoors. Hand over heart is relatively new and is not required during the Nat'l Anthem.

Slow news day?
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Both - I think overall most of our opponents do a better job of standing in one place at attention, with many kids hand over heart. Not a single SJU kid puts his hand over heart and none really stand at attention either - most would be considered at ease or much worse.. Hand over heart has been around my entire life although you may be older than me. In grade school we had a Jehovah's witness kid who refused to put his hand over his heart for the pledge of allegiance, and teachers unfairly singled him out and ripped him to shreds.
 
Since nearly all of us watched the Super Bowl, I thought it was really awesome to listen to the crowd explode in raucous cheering for our troops every time the screen flashed to those troops watching the game in Afghanistan. Unabashed signs of patriotism in these divided times are a reminder that there are things bigger than the game we watch and play. When I see the sacrifices (up to and including ultimate sacrifices) our troops make for our flag and country, it is a great expression by fans.

So here's the pet peeve part. Paying attention to the national anthem played at SJU games at CA and the Garden, it seems that our opponents are much more respectful in standing at attention, many or most with their hands over their hearts with their eyes on our flag. Our guys mostly mug the NBA shuffle - hands behind their back, swaying back and forth. Compared to our opponents, I think it just looks bad.

I know we have a lot of foreign players, who of course should not be required to salute our flag in this manner, but they should at least stand at attention with their eyes in front of them. Our American players should be required to salute the flag unless they have a huge contentious or religious reason not to do so. It goes without saying that our coaches should all salute the flag in the same way.

Other fans have noticed this too, and I'd like to hear your opinions. I don't think this has much to do with winning or losing, so opinions such as "I don't care as long as we win" really aren't germane to this discussion - of course "I don't care" is acceptable IMO.
Click to expand...

Are you complaining about hand over heart or not standing at attention. It is perfectly acceptable to stand at attention without hand over heart, military or non military while indoors. Hand over heart is relatively new and is not required during the Nat'l Anthem.

Slow news day?
Click to expand...

Both - I think overall most of our opponents do a better job of standing in one place at attention, with many kids hand over heart. Not a single SJU kid puts his hand over heart and none really stand at attention either - most would be considered at ease or much worse.. Hand over heart has been around my entire life although you may be older than me. In grade school we had a Jehovah's witness kid who refused to put his hand over his heart for the pledge of allegiance, and teachers unfairly singled him out and ripped him to shreds.
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Shouldn't you be looking at the flag instead of checking out what others are doing? :)
 
Since nearly all of us watched the Super Bowl, I thought it was really awesome to listen to the crowd explode in raucous cheering for our troops every time the screen flashed to those troops watching the game in Afghanistan. Unabashed signs of patriotism in these divided times are a reminder that there are things bigger than the game we watch and play. When I see the sacrifices (up to and including ultimate sacrifices) our troops make for our flag and country, it is a great expression by fans.

So here's the pet peeve part. Paying attention to the national anthem played at SJU games at CA and the Garden, it seems that our opponents are much more respectful in standing at attention, many or most with their hands over their hearts with their eyes on our flag. Our guys mostly mug the NBA shuffle - hands behind their back, swaying back and forth. Compared to our opponents, I think it just looks bad.

I know we have a lot of foreign players, who of course should not be required to salute our flag in this manner, but they should at least stand at attention with their eyes in front of them. Our American players should be required to salute the flag unless they have a huge contentious or religious reason not to do so. It goes without saying that our coaches should all salute the flag in the same way.

Other fans have noticed this too, and I'd like to hear your opinions. I don't think this has much to do with winning or losing, so opinions such as "I don't care as long as we win" really aren't germane to this discussion - of course "I don't care" is acceptable IMO.
Click to expand...

Are you complaining about hand over heart or not standing at attention. It is perfectly acceptable to stand at attention without hand over heart, military or non military while indoors. Hand over heart is relatively new and is not required during the Nat'l Anthem.

Slow news day?
Click to expand...

Both - I think overall most of our opponents do a better job of standing in one place at attention, with many kids hand over heart. Not a single SJU kid puts his hand over heart and none really stand at attention either - most would be considered at ease or much worse.. Hand over heart has been around my entire life although you may be older than me. In grade school we had a Jehovah's witness kid who refused to put his hand over his heart for the pledge of allegiance, and teachers unfairly singled him out and ripped him to shreds.
Click to expand...

Shouldn't you be looking at the flag instead of checking out what others are doing? :)
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At my age even finding it in an arena I'm familiar with takes some time. But at this point, what does it really matter?
 
Since you brought it up, let me tell you about my Pet Peeves about people not displaying the proper etiquette or respect during a rendition of our National Anthem, the Star Spangled Banner, in no particular order:

1. People who continue to walk to their seats while the National.
2. People who make noise during the National Anthem. This includes clapping before the rendition is over, yelling O (like the Ohio State fans near the end) or yelling let's go (insert team name).
3. Not standing at with your hand over your heart (proper etiquette) or at least at full attention.
4. The announcer actually having to tell people to "please remove your hats" prior to the playing of the National Anthem (someone actually needs to tell you to do so).

As far as the team goes, I have no idea what they are doing as I am usually looking at the flag during the rendition and hoping some idiot doesn't try to walk in front of me trying to get to his seat while wearing an hat, spilling his beer and just being loud and obnoxious.
 
My opinion on this? If they never played the National Anthem before a sporting event, I'd go to just as many games as I do now.
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Still don't get the entire anthem thing.
When Jarvis was coach he'd make the team stay on the floor for the anthem while the other team would head to the locker room.
It's only good for a last minute pee/beer break.
 
I haven't noticed a problem with SJU fans, students, or players on this ever. Everyone stands and is respectful always. I always try to remember people may not always feel the same way as I do, even about their own country. If people don't want to hold their hand over their hart that is certainly their right, and not my place to judge. But isn't that what makes America great?

BTW - They don't even play the national anthem at the US Tennis Open. That's what really get's me steamed.
 
I'm not sure if I've gotten to a game in the last 2 years in time to hear the star spangled banner
 
Our National Anthem has 4 verses. Most people do not realize this as the 1st verse is the one that is sung/played at all sporting events and military ceremonies. Would be nice if people at least new there were 3 other verses, which by the way, all end just like the first: “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

Maybe they should start singing the 2nd verse at the beginning of our games to confuse opponents
 
Lady Gaga's rendition should become the standard---much like Kate Smith's God Bless America and Ray Charles' America the Beautiful.
 
Lady Gaga's rendition should become the standard---much like Kate Smith's God Bless America and Ray Charles' America the Beautiful.
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I agree 100%
Generally not a Lady Gaga fan but she was great last night
I remember Kate Smith being flown into Philly to sing before Flyers games
She was their good luck charm - they almost always won when she sang
 
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