The national anthem at Capitals games makes me angry.
Let’s set the Wayback Machine to Opening Night, October 7, 2006. Four soldiers from the United States Army chorus stepped onto the ice in dress uniforms and belted out an impressive rendition of The Star Spangled Banner. As their inspired performance drew to a close, a feeling of dread stole over me… surely Caps fans would finally stop embarrassing themselves this season! I held out hope that, other than a scattered and misguided few, the only sound I’d hear was the anthem itself and wild cheering at its conclusion.
But no. A loud “O!” rose from the crowd during the line “O! say does that star-spangled Banner yet wave.” My dread changed to a full-body cringe.
Two salient points to discuss:
Point #1: Listen people, it’s quite simple: remove your hat, face the flag, and sing along or stand silently. It’s incredibly disrespectful to shout crap during the anthem. Rein in your ADHD for a minute-and-a-half and show some class.
Point #2: YOU’RE AT A HOCKEY GAME, not an Orioles game. It’s bad enough that Orioles’ fans choose to soil the anthem with a brief, horrific burst of karaoke, but what they do in Camden Yards is their business. Setting aside the disrespect for a moment, why would someone think that bringing an Orioles-specific tradition to a Caps game makes sense? What’s next, singing “Hail to the Redskins” after goals and chanting “Let’s Go Nats?” Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? Try explaining the “O” to an out-of-town guest at a Caps’ game and you’ll know what I mean. And no, we shouldn’t change it to “O-vi” or “O-lie” — Point #1 still applies.
Every time someone shouts “O!” during the anthem, I want to serve them a steaming cup of shut the @*#% up. Thankfully many Caps fans don’t participate in this travesty, but too many others ignore common sense and seem to think they’re at an Orioles game. For the record, if the players are wearing skates, it’s not baseball.
Only once did I hear the anthem treated with unanimous respect at a Capitals game: the preseason game on September 18, 2001. Not a single “O!” It was a profoundly moving experience, moreso in light of the prior week’s events, and one I’ll never forget.
We need to kick this awful “tradition” out of our nation’s capital — a place that should show more reverence for the anthem than anywhere else. Please, Caps fans, make a New Year’s resolution to show respect to our anthem, and to the sport we love.
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44 Comments
We talked about this topic a lot before OrderedChaos wrote it up. I’m a life long Washington area resident and have heard the “O” chant as long as I can remember. I, too, was at that preseason game on Setember 18th… a mere 7 days after the attacks of September 11.
That no one yelled “O”, especially after a time of unspeakable tragedy, literally moved me to tears.
The respect the anthem was given that September game 5 years ago should be the same respect given today.
I have no problem with the “O”. Its become a local tradition, and we should embrace it. I now live in Chicago, and ever since the All Star game here during the first Iraq war, the fans clap, cheer, and make a lot of noise during the anthem. It was born out of people cheering for the flag during that game/anthem, and its stuck. I still get chills when the crowd roars. And is the “O” any worse than the Dallas fans, who shout “Stars!” every time that word comes up in the anthem?
Also…what I do have a problem with, are the stupid fans who decide to yell out “LETS GO CAPS!” towards the end of the anthem. Thats disrespectful
No it is not any worse… they are both terrible and if we lived in Dallas…. we’d still write the same post.
I could not agree with you more. These are just people who want to hear themselves and think they are important. This is just as disrespectful as “O”. Shut yer yap for a couple of minutes while the anthem is being played/sung. Don’t want to or can’t sing? Fine… but don’t be disrespectful.
The ‘Let’s Go Caps’ at the end is bad, though the ‘O’ is worse since it’s a baseball thing (and a Baltimore thing). Comparing us to Dallas is appropriate — the ‘Stars’ and the ‘O’ shouts both make a joke of the anthem — but how does that make it OK?
There are good traditions and bad ones. The ‘O’ is firmly in the latter category for me.
The ‘O’ is worse because it is a distinctly BALTIMORE ORIOLES tradition, you know, the team that kept Washington from having a baseball team for umpteen years. The team whose owner said, “There are no baseball fans in Washington.” (Geez, I hate Peter Angelos.) But I digress…
I attend games for all the professional sports teams in town (yes, even the WNBA), and Caps games are the ONLY place that the ‘O’ is yelled. Well, sometimes Nationals games, but they’re quickly drowned out with a chorus of boos.
My brother, also a season ticket holder, has taken to yelling, “You’re not at an Orioles game, moron” when a large number of people in our area yell ‘O’. And the several military folks near us have all said that they don’t disapprove of him doing so.
I couldn’t have said it better myself…I remember having the same thoughts at opening night, and again at the Veteran’s Day weekend game. It’s been a part of the anthem at Caps games for as long as I can remember and I’ll admit, as a kid I used to love shouting ‘O!’ – but it’s one tradition I wouldn’t mind seeing disappear.
Incidentally, I wouldn’t mind if the idiot who yells “Go back to Baltimore” after the ‘O’ were to suddenly disappear…how obnoxious.
Thanks CapsChick. BTW, the “Go Back to Baltimore” will be silenced if the “O” stops, so it’s a win-win, yes?
Guaranteed. If the ‘O’ stops, in 433 we’ll have nothing to yell at people about. (Well, until people feel the need to stand up and move during play, but that’s another story.)
People just like to feel like they are part of a local tradition, whether borrowed from another team or not. It gives them an identity. When I was a kid, I loved shouting the “O” just because it was something we did and something out of town fans didn’t.
What other distinctly Caps fan cheering traditions do we have? Whoop-whooping former D-man is one. That’s cool and all. What else? “Let’s go Caps.” Ok, that’s pretty much every team in the league – insert team name. The Horn Guy is nice. I’m really intrigued about the next Barra Brava attendance, and this wild talk of drums and banners. THAT would be something for people to get behind. I guess that was all a digression. Sorry.
I’m with you Pepper — I enjoy other Caps traditions (like the whoop-whoop), and we could use more like ‘em. Good traditions help the fans feel part of something special. But being a tradition does not automatically make it good. The “O” has got to go.
P-Mac, I too miss “HERE are your NAAAATIONSSSS CAPITALS!” to open each period. I don’t know why they changed it — that was a unique tradition in a good way. As for exporting the O, try singing “Hail to the Redskins”, another local tradition, after every run scored by the Orioles. It’d be just as ridiculous and out of place as the O at Caps games (although at least it doesn’t screw with the anthem).
I live in Baltimore and work in D.C., and I love the “O!” chant in both venues. The national anthem moves me to tears each time I hear it, regardless of where I am or who is playing, and I love the local twist that the yell provices. I went to a NASCAR race at Dover Downs a few years ago, and convinced my brother-in-law to yell “O!” with me there, too. Baltimore has no race track (for cars, at least), no basketball team, no hockey team. Fans supporting a team already in the throes of bad attendance should not be trying to tell people to “go back” where they came from.
What I would really like to see come back is the pre-perioid announcement of, “Here are your NATION’S Capitals.” I am choking just writing about it. What happened to that?
I am with you here on that O thing. Anytime I hear it, I am almost moved to throw my beer at them. If it didn’t cost me $7 I would. Yes, I get it’s a Baltimore tradition, and last time I checked we weren’t Baltimore. It’s not our fault that you don’t have hockey – I mean hell – we can barely hang on to a crowd now. So, when you start bitching about the fact that you don’t have something – well – we don’t say O at a Nats game – and how many years did you have a team and we didn’t? I appreciate YOUR tradiditon – but that is what it is YOURS. Take it back with you when you go home.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Believe me I wish I could go back to Baltimore. Like P-Mac said, we have no hockey or basketball team here. Im a die hard Caps and Wiz fan just like some Washington people are still die hard O’s fans.
Not only Baltimore fans do this at baseball and hockey games we do it at Ravens games to. I love the Capitals but till Baltimore gets it’s own hockey team (which will never happen) im going to continue saying O’s at the Caps game.
Just be thankful you guy’s have fans from all over trying to pack the arena out.
I understand where you are coming from, but this is a Maryland/DC tradition. Other states look at us like what the…As bad as it may seem, it is something this area has done to assert itself from the other states and regions. Canada has its”everybody in the stadium sing the anthem” and we have the “O” and I do not believe this will ever end, so only thing i can say is embrace it! OHHHHHHHHHH!
Canada has it right…. in today’s marketing of sports and selling add time, you HARDLY EVER see the anthems broadcast…. but you DID see Edmonton’s fine job on their anthem….
How much more powerful a statement would EVERYONE SINGING THE ANTHEM be from the Nation’s Capital than yelling “O”?
Dead-on, OC. The ‘O’ has to go.
I don’t think it is actually a disrespect of the national anthem. In fact, the National Anthem has recently not even been sung at Ducks games, believe it or not. They have been singing “America.” The “O” is a Maryland thing and, though it may now be stupid due to its origins, I don’t think it shows disrespect for the country. People always shout play ball, and let’s go caps and other random shit at the end of any national anthem. To me, the “O” feels like a “yea USA, bring us home sister!” for the singer. It’s embracing the song and saying let’s end this shit so we can watch some damn hockey.
I have to agree with OC. If you really want to get your team riled up, sing the whole anthem…loud. Don’t cut in on it, and for god’s sake don’t use a baseball chant-thing. Keep hockey traditional! Or some day we may not even have an anthem before games
The Hershey Bears fans do the “Lets Go Bears!” during the pause near the end of the anthem. I refuse to do it, and if one of my friends do it I say something. A friend of mine was medically discharged from the air force, and he is one who DOES say it. Then again he doesn’t put his beer down long enough to even stand there with respect (hat on and everything). Yes, I’m one of the few who stands there hand over heart singing along. I was taught to stand, put your right hand over your heart, no talking, and men must remove their hats. Ive been at professional games where they make that announcement: “ladies and gentlemen, please stand and remove your hats, out of respect for the singing of our national anthem.” Recently, over Veterans day weekend the Hershey Bears had a moment of silence. THAT got more respect than the anthem.
The “O” is horrible, stupid, and disrespectful, no question about it.
But what I’d like to know is why we feel the need to sing the national anthem before every freaking sporting event anyway. What, praytell, is the connection between scheduled, emotive patriotism and a game of hockey-baseball-football-basketball?
I agree, and your posting got me to thinking, as you can see here.
Susan, I don’t think there’s a connection either.
For me, to be honest, I don’t see the need to make a patriotic statement before witnessing every sporting event. Should I observe the national anthem before watching every movie or concert?
As for getting the team pumped up before a game by signing the American anthem, well, it may matter to, say, Clark or Pothier, but most of the team isn’t born and raised American.
here, here! I second that OC!
Right on this post. There was a time some of us said Olie, not 0, but ever since 9/11 I have not said it. IT is disrespectful and there has been no real justification, just excuses for acting as a cretin.
BTW Thanks for providing the entire text for Mr. Key’s poem.
I sing the anthem… and I’m in agreeance on not liking the “O”.
That being said, there are probably folks who would prefer that I didn’t sing!
Oh – and thanks for publishing the lyrics. I wish it were handed out before every sporting event, especially minor league and high school level. It is so very cringeworthy when the lyrics are butchered.
While i disagree with the majority that the “O” is disrespectful, Im a little dissapointed that this got more coverage and response then ANYTHING on Phil Kessel having cancer. Reading this site more then once a day, I have come to see that there is alot of intrest on the young and up and coming players in the league and enjoy reading about them. I think Cancer is a little more important then a song which it seems alot of people on here dont like (but still respect) anyways. I also think that to each their own. The US is all about freedom of speech, and if one wants to express the love of their country at the same level as their team, so be it. I love when Stars, MD/DC teams, and Braves highlight their teams names in the SSB. Not like they are saying USA sucks or making it sound like they are dissing someone.
This is a Capitals-centric blog. We at OFB wish the best to Phil Kessel and his family. But there are plenty of sources that are writing in depth about Mr. Kessel. We have nothing unique to contribute to the discussion of his illness; therefore we did not feel it appropriate to simply regurgitate what anyone can find on the AP or Bruins blogs.
As for freedom of speech, which both Mellyville and Mary Todd Lincoln (from beyond pale, apparently) brought up, I’m not suggesting Caps fans who shout “O” be arrested. It’s not like shouting “Fire!” in a crowded theater. I’m simply suggesting that they think about what they do before they do it; and perhaps, once some thought is given, that they decide to respect the anthem that represents the country which enables them to have free speech in the first place.
For those who said that the “forced patriotism” of the anthem performed before sporting events is not appropriate, fair enough, and perhaps a point worthy of further debate. But while it is part of the event, I only ask that those in attendence respect it.
To Bryanne & Novaron, thanks for the kudos on the poem. I’ve never heard the lyrics beyond the first verse, and I enjoyed finding that little piece of history on Wikipedia. Of the five copies made in 1814, only two are known to survive, one of which is pictured in the post.
Well said OrderedChaos. I’m a Hurricanes fan and quite a few people at our home games scream out “RED” when the National Anthem is sung by our very talented Holly Wilver. It is simply a disgrace to America when these people yell out during our National Anthem.
Same thing happens at my college’s football and basketball games. A lot of people will hold up the “Wolfpack” sign near the end which is just as shameful.
Keep your hand on your heart and sing the National Anthem or as OrderedChaos so eloquently put it, “shut the @*#% up.”
We all know you are drunk and/or just plain disrespectful. Watch the Colbert Report sometime and get a nice healthy dose of Patriotism. Then you’ll think twice about disrespecting America anytime the National Anthem is played in any city during any sporting event.
OC, thanks for the post. I wear a uniform in large part to ensure that freedom of speech remains intact. If that means people yelling “O” during our National Anthem then so be it. However, it does annoy me and I’d love to see it stop. I too remember the emotion in the building on September 18 and the tears running down my face as the crowd not only omitted the “O” but sang along. It would be great to see us get back to that point without someone flying a plane into my workplace.
I had the privilege of attending USA/Slovakia and USA/Russia a couple of years ago during the World Cup of Hockey in Minneapolis. It was incredible to hear the fans of Slovakia and Russia belt out their National Anthem followed by an even louder rendition of ours. That was pretty motivating and moving at the same time. Once again, would love to see the O stop, but if it doesn’t I guess we’ll just have to celebrate that those who do won’t be arrested. Yelling at them doesn’t really do any of us any good but perhaps your post will.
To add to the history lesson, at least one of the units defending Fort McHenry that day (5th Maryland Infantry) lives on in the form of the Maryland Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment. Additionally, the regimental colors (flag) developed after the Civil War to symbolize the reuniting of soldiers that fought on both sides is what you now know as the Maryland State Flag.
You guys are way to uptight in my humble opinion. The “O” is not a bad thing… it’s silly, perhaps, but not disrespectful at all. It’s just people being people. There’s a bit of ritual to it, and I think it’s not such a bad thing… at least compared to the “woop woop” jeers.
As long as fans continue to yell “OH!” I shall continue to yell “HOOS!” earlier on.
Two thoughts:
1) A quick comment on the “everyone singing the anthem” thing in Canada: in my experience as a Canadian hockey fan, that outpouring that you saw in Edmonton during the playoffs last season was an anomaly. I find that, aside from the occasional jarhead who boos the US anthem (and, truly, that sort of idiocy is rare), Canadian sports fans are generally quiet and respectful during national anthems, which suits me just fine.
2) My $0.02 worth on the “O” issue (sounds like a Seinfeld episode, BTW!): freedom of speech and Baltimore-vs-DC issues are utterly beside the point. Its simply a question of what is and is not appropriate to do in public.
During a national anthem, you stand, remove your hat (GOD, it drives me nuts when people refuse to do that), and then you do one of two things: a) Sing. b) Shut the hell up. Either one of those things is acceptable, but nothing else should be.
Loudly and enthusiastically supporting your team/ hometown is to be encouraged, but there is a time and a place. The anthem is not the time, no matter whose anthem is being played where. If you can reach adulthood without understanding that, you weren’t educated particularly well!
If you want to weigh in on the debate elsewhere:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2006/12/question_should_the_national_a.html
Dan Steinberg of the Post has picked up the debate on DC Sports Bog today:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2006/12/question_should_the_national_a.html
Dan’s take:
Thank God someone else feels the cringe and gets angry at the stupidity of the “O” call. I wish Ted would put something up on the screen prior to the anthem respectfully asking everyone to shut the @#$@# up and not disrupt it with that stupid “O” every time.
Try doing that “Oh!” nonsense at RFK and you get booed down. This is Washington, D.C. Not Bhawlmuher.
And CapChick, that’s me telling the rednecks to go back to Bhawlmuher, and no I won’t stop until they do.
So if you want me to stop it, get the Baltimorons to shut their yaps.
As a proud American patriot, I fully support (and participate in) shouting the O at Caps games. Consider a few things:
1. The Orioles were the de facto baseball team for the Washington area for decades. I grew up rooting for the Os because the next closest team was in Philly. Yes, the Nats are here now, but I still consider myself an Os fan, as do many thousands of DC natives.
2. It’s not disrespectful. I support the anthem and everything it stands for, including the freedom to yell out nonsense during the anthem. This is the United States of America people, not some right wing dictatorship. Let people express themselves in their own way. Forced-obedience during, or forced participation in an act of patriotism is, itself, unpatriotic, at least in the America I grew up in.
3. Forget about the Orioles. The O is a Washington-Baltimore tradition now, that has transcended its original purpose.
“Man is the only Patriot. He sets himself apart in his own country, under his own flag, and sneers at the other nations, and keeps multitudinous uniformed assassins on hand at heavy expense to grab slices of other people’s countries, and keep them from grabbing slices of his. And in the intervals between campaigns he washes the blood off his hands and works for “the universal brotherhood of man”- with his mouth. “The Lowest Animal”
Being a Baltimoron (as my father used to say), I have to say that I was shocked the first time I was at a Caps game and heard them say “O” during the Nathional Anthem. I turned to my friend (a die hard fan) and asked what that was all about; whatever the reason it didn’t make a lot of sense. I find it a tad disrespectful at the Orioles games but can somewhat understand. At a Caps game? I do not. All I can do is to face the flag and pay tribute during the anthem the way I was raised, with complete respect, and hope that others do the same.
An Ozzy concert reviewer who agrees:
http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=6075
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