It has become one of Chicago's most revered sports traditions: Blackhawks fans creating a deafening roar with their applause throughout Jim Cornelison's booming rendition of the national anthem at the United Center.
But not everyone agrees. Count Detroit sports blogger Rob Otto of MLive.com among those who find the fan's behavior disrespectful.
"Listening to the Red Wings-Blackhawks pregame on Sunday reminded me of one of the most awful traditions in sports," Otto writes. "It makes my skin crawl every time I hear it.
"I understand it is a very difficult song, and many Americans feel embarrassed to sing it in public. However, if you're not singing you should at least stand in silent reverence until it is completed.
"The Chicago fans are doing the exact opposite. Their argument is that they are being more patriotic -- that yelling and screaming makes them a part of the anthem instead of just being a silent bystander. I am not buying it."
To read Otto's full column, go to MLive.com
But not everyone agrees. Count Detroit sports blogger Rob Otto of MLive.com among those who find the fan's behavior disrespectful.
"Listening to the Red Wings-Blackhawks pregame on Sunday reminded me of one of the most awful traditions in sports," Otto writes. "It makes my skin crawl every time I hear it.
"I understand it is a very difficult song, and many Americans feel embarrassed to sing it in public. However, if you're not singing you should at least stand in silent reverence until it is completed.
"The Chicago fans are doing the exact opposite. Their argument is that they are being more patriotic -- that yelling and screaming makes them a part of the anthem instead of just being a silent bystander. I am not buying it."
To read Otto's full column, go to MLive.com
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roenick27cheli7 on March 24, 2010 2:19 PM
. we less "America" than we ever have. been watching news lately?
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If you want to be patriotic, how about becoming literate.
dufia - it's not 1991 anymore. we less "America" than we ever have. been watching news lately? don't tell us how to be patriotic!
Sam you are the step-child! I sure there is a wall you could bang your head against.
Hockey is the step child of sports!
Yeah throw squid on the ice, great tradition!
Jealous Ba$tards.
All you have is a stupid octopus and they took that away from you.
Adam Burish #37 on March 9, 2010 2:56 PM
. . . . . . . . . . .
You never have to worry about sounding more like a dork than you did in this post. You have set a tough standard for us all today.
For my entire life I have been a HAWKS fan and have had to suffer countless disappointments by the hands of the Detroit Redwings franchise. For years I have wished that the HAWKS were in organization like the always dominant and classy Redwings.
After reading this article, for the first time in all those years, I am more proud of the HAWKS than ever. Writing about the positive display of affection for our flag and country at the HAWKS games is ridiculous. I see it as a certain sign that the Redwings confidant dominance over the HAWKS is forever shaken. After years of utter superiority you have "jumped the shark" Detroit.
Inventing negative arguments against foes (that you have perennially whipped)good points is what sore losers do and not winners.
Be proud of your club, your history, and your "Joe." Don't take cheap shots at our display of patriotism.
FDetroitSux
It has definitely run it's course and become a bit of a joke around the league. The players have to say they appreciate it, but if you watch them, they seem bored by the whole thing. In the old days (80's) it would build as the song went on and would seem to have an impact on the guys, but those days are over.
And who didn't know there was a problem when they started piping in cheering sounds over the P.A.?
And why should we care what some retard in Detroit says? I hope we do get them in the first round this year so we can bury their little wings for good
back in the 70's and early 80's they waited till the finale verse before the yelling started. I thought it was alot better we always have to over do things.
Matt on March 9, 2010 11:31 AM
You want to talk disrespectful...shouldn't Toronto or Montreal be called "Hockeytown?" Yeah, that doesn't sound pompous at all.
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That could be the dumbest post ever.
You want to talk disrespectful...shouldn't Toronto or Montreal be called "Hockeytown?" Yeah, that doesn't sound pompous at all.
My bet is that the Wings will knock off the Hawks again this year. I'm hoping it's in the first round, just for effect.
I was at a hawks game earlier this year, and during a stoppage in play, they put up a soldier on the jumbotron and the PA announcer announced his name, and he got a minute long standing ovation, and this man is trying to tell me we are unpatriotic. Mr. Otto get your facts straight before writing a BS article
Mike on March 9, 2010 10:36 AM
Go back and watch the National Anthem before the 1991 NHL All-Star game at the Old Chicago Stadium. Get the players opinions from that game. The President (The first Bush) was in tears watching it. Tell me that's disrespectful.
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It's not 1991 anymore.
Go back and watch the National Anthem before the 1991 NHL All-Star game at the Old Chicago Stadium. Get the players opinions from that game. The President (The first Bush) was in tears watching it. Tell me that's disrespectful.
Look the men and women of the armed forces in the eye that go to the games and clap and scream when the anthem is going on and tell them that they are unpatriotic and disrespecting their country, see how long you are on your feet. Detroilet trash at its finest.
Rocket Man - I'm a fan of hockey and I think you could not be further from the truth. Wings, Hawks, or even Canucks.
a) the commentators above for the most part are idiots.
b) it's disrespectful and whenever I go to the games I stand in reverence, thinking about people who protect our freedom, not pumping up the team.
Just click the link to his BLOG and read the comments. This dope was trying to cause a stir, missed the point, and proved once again why DETROIT SUCKS. NO ONE (Wings nor Hawks fans) support this idiotic viewpoint.
What is worse: cheering for your country's anthlem or throwing a dead squid on the ice?
Actually, I did not necessarily like the crowd yelling "Detroit sucks" (even though it does). Why fire up the other team?
what makes my skin crawl is that anybody is paying attention to what a person from Detroit thinks.
another bottom of the barrel columnist looking for his 15 minutes of fame...what a sorry piece of crap. If you don't like it come to a game and tell us.....instead of hiding behind your laptop. Oh, almost forgot, "go &#%!! yourself" while your at it...
my skin crawls reading your article.whats wrong with you?you cant get more patriotic than that.total respect for the anthem,not to mention goose bumps like youve never had before.otto is a moron.
Standing during the national anthem does not make me unpatriotic. At times like these when several of your large companies are taking federal money, I would just keep my mouth shut about patriotism. BTW driving an Acura does not make me Anti-American, it makes me Anti-Detroit.
Ah, freedom. Freedom of speech. Freedom to say whatever you want to anybody who will listen. Or, in my case, freedom to ignore the crackpots. Just because some clown has a blog doesn't mean I have to read it.
Go Hawks and to the UC crowd that has one of the coolest traditions in sports, just SCREAM, baby!
Man dude, get a Life. This has been happening for years and Years and years and your blogging about it now?? You are from or atleast live in Detroit now so i understand your anger But C`mon, worry about your city (there`s enough to worry about) and stop worrying about the way we Chicagoans CELEBRATE the anthem and our team will ya?
Ohhhhhhh, I get it. Your Hockey team in Detroit is what..... 17 points behind the Hawks in the standings so you have to hate. It`s cool. IF Detoilet even visits the playoffs this year maybe Us Fans of the Hawks and the United States can Blow the roof of the UC off for you with our respect for this Great Country,Game and Team.
Who is this Rob Otto? I guess I won't be inviting him to our church where we all start hooting during the Lord's Prayer. There is a fine line between being patriotic and having class I suppose, but to suggest that all the fans hollering during the anthem are doing so out of love for country is a pushing it. Most probably don't even know why they are doing it, they are just following the herd. Come to think of it, that is the definition of patriotism lately - just make a lot of noise because others tell you to. If your best defense or example of your patriotism is displayed at a hockey game, then you really aren't doing much are you.
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Who in blazes is Rob Otto? and who cares besides his Mom.
Tain't none of your business Robbie Boy.
In the words of one of the greatest military minds of the 20th century, Sgt. Hulka, "Lighten up Francis..."
It's a song, no more, no less.
A difficult song? My class sang it in 3rd grade and despite having no musical talent whatsoever I can still (attempt to) sing, or at least hum along to the song. I don't think the cheering rises to the level of disrespect but I'd rather see silence like at every other sporting event.
A question of patriotism regarding the national anthem at Blackhawks games? Disrespect? Really? A battle hymn whose purpose is to work those listening to it into a frenzy? Whatever.
I remember an interview with Doug Wilson of the Hawks where he was asked about what it was like at the Stadium during the national anthem. I am paraphrasing here, but he essentially said, "If you weren't ready to play after the national anthem was sung at the Stadium, you better check your pulse, because you were probably dead."
If the purpose of a national anthem has anything to do with rousing those gathered to hear it, Chicago has proved, without out a doubt, that it does just that.
If cheering during the anthem in Chicago is wrong, I for one do not want to be right. Go away you Detroit sourpuss.
Just to post a prsonal note - I was at the 1991 All-Star game in the Old Stadium...I have never heard a roar as loud as I did during the Anthem - it was my Birthday, my wife - who worked at a Chicago Radio station at the time received tickets through management. I didn't know I was going to the game...It is one of my greatest memories ever. I would pay to get a tape of that - I sat next to Keith Magnuson and Pierre Pilot - I never in my life had seats near the ice prior - 12th row or so - traditions are traditions...WE - in Chicago - pride ourselves in the nation - although these days the a-hole is trying to steal our country - this is OUR VOICE - don't like it - go away - I revel in listening and watching these days being so far away now...
Actually, the tradition began with the roar FOLLOWING the anthem. As I recall the roar crept INTO the anthem near the end of the seventies when some attendees wanted to be the first to yell. I must admit, I liked it when the crowd waited until the final note is sung. Seemed to be more respectful.
Rob Otto, your way, way off base. Get use to the new sound patriotism. Evidently, there are those who very much enjoy the UC's version of the Star-Spangled Banner. The song was created to create pride in the country not as a hymn to be sung in church. Otto, if you want silence I suggest you stick earplugs in your ears and stand like a statue while others celebrate being an American with a truly inspiring version of the Star-Spangled Banner.
what a douchebag! LOL a blogger opinion is about as important as mine. what makes my skin crawl are when morons like yourself get published on the Tribune site. if you don't like how we pay our respects during the National Anthem, don't go to the games and/or don't watch that part on the television. now....GTFO and STFU --->
ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS!!!!! Just another Detroit doooshbag that is sore because there is a changing on the guard!
Too bad Detroit. Go listen to your Emimem cds and choke on it.
ROFLMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!
otto... you're junk... throwing squid is alright though!?!
we've been cheering during the anthem as long as you've been alive... shut your hole
He lives in Detroit - have pity on him.
LOL!!! If you take that as an insult I recommend quitting your job and never attending a sporting event, ever again. Does it disgust you when you hear fans cheer for their favorate players? or is that disrespectful too? Sports are all about pride, so you cheer for your favorate player or team. So what's the harm in cheering for your favorate country? It is only disrespectful if fans are trying to mock the anthem. But there not - they're embracing the history and feel a sense of pride. It's not like the person who sang the song at the UC was the same person who wrote the song.