An incredible moment
— NHL (@NHL) April 30, 2017
When the mic doesn’t work, the crowd takes over & belts out The Star-Spangled Banner...
...In Edmonton
🇺🇸🇨🇦 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/pWvrlknbV6
The U.S. anthem has been a showcase for protests at sporting events. On one side, people are upset at anything that isn't hand on heart or saluting and standing the entire time. The other side respects the flag, but views that time as a potential to protest actions going on in that country.
What we have on both sides are patriotism and freedom but from different perspectives.
We've seen the kindness that Americans have had for the Canadian anthem in Pittsburgh after the Ottawa shooting in 2014. We've seen the amazing reaction in person and online when the crowd in Edmonton sang the U.S. anthem a capella after the microphone wasn't working during an Edmonton Oilers playoff game.
At Buffalo Sabres games, the Canadian anthem is always played, regardless of the opponent. There are times when the BC Lions will play the U.S. anthem. I've been there in person on July 4, 2008 when the Lions played the U.S. anthem. That was highly memorable and greatly appreciated.
This is the spirit of the anthem. Love your anthem. Respect the other's anthem.
MLB, Rob Manfred, MLB on Fox need to stop disrespecting Canada
2017 NHL Stanley Cup notebook: Edmonton crowd dazzles with U.S. anthem
Ottawa shooting notebook: O Canada indeed
Reflections on the Ottawa shooting
Both countries believe in freedom of expression, knowing that there will be times when that freedom of speech, of expression, will fall in a category of discomfort. You don't really have freedom of speech, of expression without the ability to make some uncomfortable.
There are reasons to protest in the United States and Canada. Kneeling before an anthem isn't the first resort to protest; that is among the last resorts of protest.
If you are at an event that features a national anthem in person, and you feel strongly that the anthem is a significant moment, then you should try a counterprotest and actually sing the anthem. Don't just sing the anthem loud enough for your spouse to hear you. Sing the anthem loud.
As an American who likes Canada, and for all the talk about America and patriotism, the Canadians kick the Americans' ass over singing the anthem. Go to the top and play the Edmonton crowd rendition of the U.S. anthem. If you are an American, ask yourself if you've ever heard a crowd sing the U.S. anthem louder and with more pride than in that moment. That wasn't even their anthem. Edmonton is not close to the U.S. border; in fact, the city is the furthest away from the border of any NHL Canadian city.
Listen to the crowd in Ottawa sing after the Ottawa shooting. CBC/Hockey Night in Canada had the Leafs and Habs audiences tuned in to hear O Canada from Ottawa. The NHL Network ran that in the United States.
Love your anthem. Respect the other's anthem.
Canadians can sing the U.S. anthem without help. They know the words. Most U.S. fans, especially hockey fans, don't have a clue about how to sing O Canada.
This beautiful exchange between Toronto and Nashville started with the Maple Leafs fans finished the U.S. anthem. Then in thanks, the Nashville fans sang O Canada.
To be fair, stadiums and arenas should run the words. But the next time you are an event that involves O Canada, try and sing along. The melody is a lot easier than the U.S. anthem. Do it out of respect. You can sing it in English.
Here are the words to O Canada courtesy of Wikipedia.
Learn the words to the Star Spangled Banner first, then learn O Canada. That only seems fair.
I'll leave you with an embarrassing anthem story. I was attending a Montréal Expos game at Olympic Stadium in 2002. I had learned O Canada. I was singing along but realized that the crowd was singing in French. I didn't know the words in French but kept singing. In the final third, everyone, including me, sang in English.
After the anthem, the guy next to me said I knew the anthem pretty well in English. I felt embarrassed over not knowing the anthem in French but I did try to sing it the best I knew at that point.
If you aren't sure about the U.S. anthem and you are American, just ask a Canadian. Chances are that Canadian know the words and would be glad to help you out.
Twitter capture: @NHL
video credit: YouTube/Chris S via NHL
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