Should national anthems be played before sporting events?

[ken_valyi]

Every year it seems some jerk from Montreal, or New York or Vancouver or ... feel the need to show what a low class scumbag they are and dishonour the songs we use to show respect for our countries and the men and women that gave their lives protecting them.

My heart swells up for both anthems, and while I love to hear them, it gets under my skin to hear them being abused before a sporting event. Should we take them out of the games? But if we do that, how often will we get to hear them? And will the terrorists have one?

[Richard Cabeza]

I have no idea what the people in Montreal's problem is, but they always insist on booing our anthem whenever we meet in the playoffs. Whenever we play another Canadian team like Toronto or Ottawa, it never happens. It really leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but I say sing them both. I guess it's a "freedom of speach" issue, but I'd LOVE to punch anyone who boo's an anthem right in their teeth.

For the record, I was at the Fleet on December 8th when Ottawa was in town, and clapped for both anthems. So did everyone else there. That's how it should be, especially since these idiots who boo forget to realize more than likely they have players of both nationalities on their team

[ken_valyi]

If it makes you feel any better, Quebecers have little respect for the Canadian anthem which was written by a Quebec judge. The French have a major inferiority complex and this is one of their few outlets where they can get attention.

I think during the playing of a foreign national anthem, arenas should show a montage of images and video of the wonderful things about that nation, and in particular the friendship that the two nations share. I'd like to see the anthems stay in but I think we need to take a timeout of our sporting rivalries when it comes to our patriothood with respect to the playing of the anthems.

[ken_valyi]

Someone at the Montreal forum had the right idea.

To counter booing of the U.S. anthem before Game 3, the Canadiens played a videotaped message of Hall of Famer Jean Beliveau asking fans to respect both national anthems. A handful still booed. Many more chanted Go Habs Go

From this story

[Richard Cabeza]

From what I heard on my tv last night, many cheered, some boo'ed, all chanted "GO HABS GO!" toward the end of the American anthem. heh. I'm wondering what'll happen tomorrow night at the Fleetcenter. I'm hoping there's no boo'ing.

[Sabretooth47]

The Anthems should definitely be a part of sporting events, most of all hockey, even if only just for the sake of tradition...

I don't know how it is in other cities, but here in Buffalo, BOTH the Canadian and USA anthems are played prior to each game, regardless of who we're playing...and the fans here are respectful and applaud for each of them...

I've never heard someone verbally disrespecting the anthems, but if I ever did, the would definitely find themselves sailing of the railing of the nosebleeds

Sure, the NHL is much more diverse than ever before, but there is nothing wrong with spending a couple minutes honoring the country(s) that you are playing in or for...