I didn't go to yesterday's game, but I heard that Vick played a terrible game as well...We could use the announcement of the start of the War, but that would apply to both teams.
BY PAUL NEWBERRY
Associated Press
Oct. 8, 2001 12:14 PM
The Atlanta Falcons were about to run onto the field for their game against the Chicago Bears when coach Dan Reeves delivered some sobering news: The attack on Afghanistan had started.
Cornerback Ray Buchanan admitted he was frightened.
"I was saying, 'Couldn't they wait until after the game?"' he said.
As Atlanta prepared for its first possession, the public address announcer told a Georgia Dome crowd of 46,483 about U.S. and British strikes against terrorist targets on the other side of the world. The fans cheered and began chanting "U-S-A! U-S-A!"
Word of the military action came just before Sunday's sports events began.
The start of the Cardinals-Eagles NFL game at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium was delayed nine minutes as part of President Bush's speech was shown on the stadium's big screen. The sellout crowd of more than 64,000 immediately began cheering as video images of the attack were televised.
"The president has launched Operation Enduring Freedom," he said.
It drew a huge roar from the crowd, many waving small American flags.
In several NFL stadiums, the speech was shown on scoreboards at halftime. In Pittsburgh, the Steelers came onto the field for second-half warmups during the speech, but mostly seemed oblivious.
Miami Dolphins officials decided against telling the crowd of 72,713 in Joe Robbie Stadium about the attack, but the team learned of the news before the kickoff of its game with New England.
"We talked about it a little bit, thought about it and said a prayer," said Miami defensive end Jason Taylor, standing at his locker in red, white and blue shorts. "We have a job to do, and we had to go do it. Now, we can obviously focus more on what's going on in the world."
No announcement was made at Giants Stadium, where New York played Washington.
"There were so many other ways for fans to learn of it," said Jim DiEleuterio, president and CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. "There are literally hundreds of TV sets in the stadium and fans have radios and portable TVs." |
