National Anthem in College Football

[clone2011]

Does anyone know why college football teams (Div 1 at least) are rarely on the field for the National Anthem? Any other sport, both teams are on the court, field, or arena floor. I've noticed it at all stadiums I've been to. I think ISU & Iowa were both on the field for the 2010 game at Iowa on September 11th. I don't think we did it when we played Army -- or even if Army was on the field for it.

I haven't been to an NFL game in a long time, but I know during the Super Bowl the teams are on the field -- is that the case for regular season games?

Just seems odd to me that all the other sports have the teams present.

 

[Mr Janny]

Good question. I'm not sure. I know that Ricki Stanzi always participates. He closes his eyes and holds his clipboard over his heart.

 

[3TrueFans]

Good question. I'm not sure. I know that Ricki Stanzi always participates. He closes his eyes and holds his clipboard over his heart.

To be fair I think he closes his eyes while he's playing too.

 

[jdoggivjc]

With the exception of the postseason baseball players aren't out on the field for the national anthem, either.

 

[kucyclone]

This post won't go over well, but whatever. I've never understood why we have to sing the National Anthem before our sporting events. It doesn't upset me, but it just seems pretty empty a vast majority of the time. And don't even get me started on **cking God Bless America.

 

[3TrueFans]

This post won't go over well, but whatever. I've never understood why we have to sing the National Anthem before our sporting events. It doesn't upset me, but it just seems pretty empty a vast majority of the time. And don't even get me started on ******* God Bless America.

Why you have to hate America?

 

[everyyard]

I am sort of with you. Why don't we do it before plays, or movies...and if we did it would get really weird, so why isn't it weird at sports events to most people. I love America but I the song doesn't make me love it more. Are the people that never attend sports and therefore never hear or sing it less American?

 

[BigSkyCy2]

At all of our Division III games, the players are on the field during the national anthem.

 

[NATEizKING]

USMNT fans do it right.

 

[Blandboy]

This post won't go over well, but whatever. I've never understood why we have to sing the National Anthem before our sporting events. It doesn't upset me, but it just seems pretty empty a vast majority of the time. And don't even get me started on **cking God Bless America.

Please go away ...

 

[Heilsqauvador]

If we don't play the National Anthem before we know it communists will be marching down the street of Aredale.

 

[clone2011]

Interesting links:

PA hockey league cutting out the song to save time and therefore, money: Pennsylvania high school hockey league bans national anthem to save money on ice time | Prep Rally - Yahoo! Sports

A few takes on just why it is sung at sporting events:
Star Spangled Pride: Why We Sing the National Anthem at Sporting Events | Bleacher Report

The history of the national anthem in sports - ESPN The Magazine - ESPN


I get it's use at the Olympics, as being a defining part of an athlete's country. There are a few small private colleges that will not play the song at their home athletic events because it conflicts with their beliefs.

And I tend to lose respect for artists who either forget the words or make it into some big, theatrical, drawn out performance.