Chiefs Fans Should Sing Whatever They Like On 9/11
Sunday is the 10th anniversary of September 11th.
All across the NFL there will be ceremonies to honor those who were murdered in NYC, DC and PA by terrorists, as well as those who passed away later from lingering health problems developed at the World Trade Center cleanup site.
As the date has approached, a number of articles and comments have begun popping up around the Chiefs blogosphere asking those in attendance at Arrowhead Stadium to break the tradition of singing “home of the Chiefs” instead of “home of the brave” at the end of the Star Spangled Banner.
Some folks hate that fans sing “home of the Chiefs” at Arrowhead Stadium. It seems once a year a debate gets started about whether or not singing “home of the Chiefs” is disrespectful to the country, its history and those who have died to defend our freedom.
Personally, I think the entire debate is hogwash. Freedom means that you are allowed to do whatever you like so long as your actions don’t infringe upon the rights, freedom and safety of others.
What an individual, or a group of individuals, decide to call out at a football game they are attending for entertainment, is of no real consequence…provided they aren’t trying to incite a riot.
Each person in Arrowhead Stadium Sunday will have their own decision to make. If they’ve never been to a Chiefs game and they’ve long desired to stand in the “Sea of Red” and call out “home of the Chiefs,” then they should go for it.
On the other hand, those who feel like they would rather sing “home of the brave” to honor the country, the troops or those murdered on 9/11, should sing the song the way they like.
Why should I care? It won’t make any difference in my life either way. It won’t make one in yours either.
If I had to guess, I imagine you’ll hear both versions at Arrowhead on Sunday. Neither camp should look down upon the other for what they choose to do. Writers should not flock to their computers to criticize fans that do decide to sing “home of the Chiefs.” Too often we all rush around trying to control everyone else in an effort to get them to behave in a manner we deem appropriate. Nobody likes to be preached to.
To be honest, I think the entire hubbub is for not. KC fans are of the most patriotic people I’ve ever met. As I recall, for pretty much the entire 2001 season, the Arrowhead faithful sang “home of the brave” as they caught the wave of patriotism that washed over the country after those horrible attacks. I don’t believe those folks needed to be told what to do. They did it because that is what they wanted to do.
I reckon they’ll do the same Sunday