11 days ago, on April 17th, 2007, I wrote the following:
“At some point in the future of America, there will be more tough times…perhaps even tragedies. As long as there is a National Football League, I believe that a very small percentage of that pain will be reduced for enough people to make it a relevant healing. While the Super Bowl is for the Championship, and The Pro Bowl showcases the best players, it is the games after 9/11 and Katrina that give the NFL, and football in general, its noble legacy.
I eagerly await the schedule of the 2007 season, and with even greater eagerness, I await the first kickoff of the first game in September. No matter what challenges we face in life, we can meet them. We are Americans. We are led by real heroes, such as Firefighters, Police Officers, and EMTs. Those heroes, in their darkest days, turned to football.
That is why they play the games. That is why I watch the games.
May God Bless the USA and the NFL.”
Yesterday, another human tragedy befell this nation I love so much. The heartless and soulless slaughter of over 30 innocent students at Virginia Tech has boggled my brain with its absolutely mindblowing senselessness. While I caution people not to jump to conclusions, I still want answers. How did this happen? More importantly, Why? I suspect those answers will not be forthcoming.
There is nothing I can say to these families. After watching 5 hours of news yesterday, I turned on David Letterman. After the Top 10 list, still unable to sleep, I turned on the NFL Network. I needed to escape. For someone to understand why that would provide me solace, they would have to either be me, or know me inside out, which a few do. I am not well rounded. I fully concede that. My pursuit of what I enjoy in life has come at the expense of learning about many other things in life, such as art, literature, theatre and music. What I do know, is that everyone heals in their own way. I am thinking about what football can do to minimize the pain being felt by about 1%. It is 1% better than 0.
In 11 days the NFL holds the 2007 draft. Perhaps the league can provide tickets to young kids from Virginia Tech to take their minds off of things, even for a few brief hours. On September 10th, 2007, the first week of the NFL Season brings the Baltimore Ravens at the Cincinnati Bengals. On September 17th, 2007, the 2nd week of the NFL season, Monday Night Football is the Washington Redskins at the Philadelphia Eagles. Given that in both of the cases, these teams play eachother twice, the home and road teams should be switched. Let the games be played in Baltimore and DC, and play in Cincinnati and Philadelphia later in the year. Massive blood drives, food drives and toy drives can be held in those cities for the relatives of the victims. Maybe the players can wear Virginia Tech Hokies decals on their helmets as a show of solidarity. Michael Vick, a famous Hokie, can wear something at Falcons games this year.
I am well aware this will not bring back anyone who we lost, nor will it explain what happened, or prevent future tragedies. Yet when there is only darkness, even a ray of home somewhere…can bring something positive.
I have to travel to Washington DC for a business conference in October. Perhaps I can buy two tickets to a Hokies game and take a young kid to the game. If people have tickets that they cannot use or sell, give them to people in the area. When every minute is an eternity, three hours of football can be a welcome respite. Former Virginia Senator George Allen was the son of a famous football coach. Maybe he can suggest some ideas.
When the bonfire killed students at Texas A & M, their brethren at Texas offered their love. The Longhorns were on the same side as the Aggies that day. When Virginia plays Virginia Tech, all the Wildcats will be Hokies.
I do not have any answers, only ideas. I suggest football ideas because that is the world I know. So I ask everyone out there…come up with ideas. Then try to find people who can help implement them.
Other than that, just pray for the surviving kids at Virginia Tech. They may never be the same, and every word of support will be needed to try and prevent their nightmares from becoming psychological breakdowns. Offer them your quiet peace, love and support.
On a final note, my father has his angiogram tomorrow. My mother said that with worrying about my father, thinking about Virginia Tech right now is too overwhelming. I will pray for the Virginia Tech people for my whole family so my mom can be focused on my dad. If some of you out there can take 1/10th of 1% of your prayers for the people of Virginia Tech, and direct them towards my dad, that would be appreciated.
My dad does not like football, and has no idea why I do. All I know is, right now I need something to think about while I try to make sense of all the things in life that make not an ounce of sense at all.
Go Hokies in 2007. Relieve 1/10th of 1% of the pain, even for a few hours a week, a few days a year.
eric