April 17, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Fans show their support of the recent bombings which occurred during the Boston Marathon prior to the game between the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
As fans watch tonight’s Bruins game, there will be something very different about the feel of this matchup.
Tonight is the first Bruins game since Monday’s fatal bombing at the Boston Marathon. Tonight, the Bruins represent something much more than just a team or a business. They represent an entire community looking to rebuild.
Tonight, the Bruins take part in assisting this tight knit community to heal. While it may seem trivial to think of sports in this way after such a horrible event, it rings true throughout the United States, if not the world, that people turn to sports in times of great tragedy.
Take the terrible tragedy of 9/11 for example. For those of you that saw, do you remember how crazy the crowd at the New York Mets game went after Mike Piazza homered in their first home game after the attacks? That reaction, along with the league wide and nationwide support for Boston and its sports teams show that now, it is more than just a game.
Our community will now rally behind the Bruins, Red Sox, Celtics, and the Patriots. They are far more than just teams now. They are our therapy. As our city heals, our teams will lift us up and bring tremendous feelings of joy with every check, every base hit, every pass completed, and every basket made, this city will cheer louder than it has ever cheered before.
Even now, as I sit here watching this wonderful pregame on NBC, I am fighting back tears. The people of Boston feel strong ties to this city, because it is our home. Every stereotype of Boston than may or may not ring true, from our accents, to our horrible driving, to our “typical masshole” attitude, make us who we are. They are what defines us. Our sports teams are what define us.
We are a City of Champions. We are Boston.