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So-Called OU Tradition Silly, Bad Form

November 14, 2009 in America, Culture, Sports & Athletics by

You may have read about the push to encourage OU fans not to sing “… and the home of the SOONERS!” instead of the proper ending of the National Anthem. Here is the actual story about the controversy in The Oklahoman.

I normally don’t like to stop to kick every barking dog, but this issue requires a stand. You can count me with David Boren and the fans who want this phenomenon to stop because:

1) It’s silly copy-cat-ism at its worst. The Atlanta Braves started this years ago (which makes more sense as they are the Braves, by the way, and only add an ‘S’ on the end) so it’s not even original to us;

2) There’s something unpatriotic about messing with our national anthem, and we Okies are the first ones to get upset when someone tinkers with the words of the pledge of allegiance. Why does this not upset us?;

3) The so-called tradition is brand-new. It did not begin until a decade ago; and

4) Finally, the fans who do it subconsciously realize it’s inappropriate. How do I know? Because during the ballgame directly following 9/11, the entire stadium, I vividly recall, sang as one “… and the home of the brave.”

Let’s keep celebrating America the home of the brave, fellow Sooners!

6 comments

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November 15, 2009 at 11:25 am

BF

Spot on! No matter how badly we might lose a given game, that wretched “home of the SOONERS!” shtick is always the worst part. I’m glad Boren et al have decided to hang out the cajones and take a stand on this…it’s despicable.

November 15, 2009 at 3:19 pm

K-Funk

I agree that it’s a silly tradition, but I’m not sure it’s a big deal.

By the way, the Star-Spangled Banner really is an atrocious national anthem. The song is about an obscure event in the War of 1812, and it requires professional-level vocalic range to sing well.

“American the Beautiful” would be a much better national anthem.

November 16, 2009 at 9:02 am

Jason Lee

How *good* the song is is, I think, unimportant. I agree with Brian, Brett, etc., that the “home of the SOONERS!” is disrepectful at best. I’d go so far as to say disgraceful. There are far too many men and women who have died for this home of the brave to see such a cavalier dismissal of the tremendous sacrifice paid for these unthinking louts.

November 16, 2009 at 8:22 pm

K-Funk

I have to disagree somewhat. Soldiers have died for the country, not for a song. I also think it’s somewhat silly to sing the national anthem at sporting events.

November 17, 2009 at 4:26 pm

Chris Doyle

I think Jason is referring to our country not The Star-Spangled Banner when he speaks of “this home of the brave.”

Respect for America should go beyond whether or not you like the choice of national anthem or when it should be sung. There are many aspects of preference regarding our country. However, that’s an entirely different subject than what Brian is presenting.

Across our fruited plane, people understand the importance of the national anthem, what it represents and how it is to be observed. They know changing the words to the national anthem is disrespectful. The many at Owen Field who do such disgrace should realize this and should stop.

November 17, 2009 at 7:51 pm

K-Funk

I just don’t agree that disrespecting the national anthem means you’re disrespecting the country. But I can see that I’m outmanned here….