The NFL just completed the first week of its 2005 regular season. My question is why?

Four years ago, the NFL has just completed its first week of the season and was getting prepared for week two. Then on Tuesday, September 11th, something big happened. I don’t really need to explain what happened on that day, but I should remind people that within a few days the NFL made an announcement that it will not be playing football in the upcoming weekend.

It seemed like the absolutely right think to do back then, and it’s hard to think otherwise now. But in light of what’s happened in New Orleans, let’s consider making a comparison.

Two towers are knocked down and almost 3,000 people killed and the NFL cancels its second week of the season.

Meanwhile, four years later, an entire city is washed away and a possible 10,000 could end up being the death toll, yet nobody has even hinted at the NFL doing the same thing it did four years ago. Why not?

I’m not saying it should have. In fact, I didn’t even consider it myself. But why not, I wonder? Is it because what happened this year took place in poor parts of the southern U.S., while four years ago was in New York City? If anyone is thinking that racism is at play in this situation, you might look at this. But I don’t think so – at least I hope not.

Is it because what happened back then was more personal – a terrorist attack vs. a natural disaster – or that people were in fear and couldn’t concentrate on football? Perhaps, but for those who have had loved ones die I doubt they care how it came about – they’re in mourning either way. And the fear didn’t subside in one week.

I think what it really is was that 9/11 came so suddenly, and for the most part people died instantly, that mourning could take place right away. Whereas this year, it was and has been an ongoing disaster, and it’s not clear when mourning can begin. People died gradually and continue to. If the NFL were to cancel the first week of games, there would be no reason why not to cancel the second, or third, or etc.

So the NFL went on in Week 1, and as luck would have it (and I use the word ‘luck’ loosely here), the New Orleans Saints happened to be on the road for Week 1. And as luck would have it (and I use the word ‘luck’ very loosely here), the Saints pulled off an improbably and inspirational win.

When asked what this meant for the citizens of New Orleans, Ernie Conwell, the team spokesman and Christian incidentally, said he was proud that the team was able to bring a little bit of joy in the midst of such grief. Although I doubt it brought that much joy to people who have lost family members and/or homes, I would say it is certainly better than had they not played at all.