Three Illustrations of College Football Encouraging Recovery After a Bereavement
Recently, as reported by the Associated Press, the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl was postponed due to a terror attack in New Orleans. Despite the delay, the game eventually took place, and as detailed by the South Bend Tribune, it carried significant emotional weight for fans. Throughout history, sports events have played a crucial role in aiding communities in overcoming disasters. In 2021, the Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics published a study focusing on the role of collegiate athletics in supporting communities following disasters. For college students and emerging adults, collegiate sports can offer essential components that aid in healing after community-based trauma. For instance, sports events can bring a community together, display unity, and create symbols of remembrance – aspects that are often challenging for young adults to achieve independently.
Here are three instances where college football provided a crucial element of healing following a terror attack in the United States:
The Army vs. Navy Game (Bringing a Community Together)
December 2001 saw the first Army vs. Navy football game post-September 11 terror attacks. Despite the Army team having only two wins and the Navy team being winless, the event managed to unite significant parts of the country. According to reports on Navysports.com and Profootballhof.com, Hall of Fame broadcaster Dick Enberg called the game for the first time in his career, and President George W. Bush attended the game – marking the first time a U.S. president had attended since 1996. The game drew an enormous television audience, with 911memorial.org reporting that more viewers tuned in than any other college football game during the 2000–2010 decade. Two players in the game later lost their lives while serving in the military.
The emotional significance of this event exceeded its mere scoreline of 26-17. In 2024, the American Psychological Association released a report emphasizing the importance of bolstering social support to cope with stressors, including trauma. Attending a sports event following a traumatic incident might help many young adults reconnect with their communities and feel less isolated.
East Carolina University vs. Virginia Tech (A Show of Solidarity)
On September 1, 2007, East Carolina University and Virginia Tech faced off in a football game on VT's campus. The matchup was the first since the devastating campus shootings earlier that year. Virginia Tech emerged victorious by a score of 17-7, but the event was characterized by an unprecedented demonstration of solidarity. ESPN GameDay was present, and ECU was allowed to join VT on the field during the "Enter Sandman" introduction, as reported by ECUpirates.com in 2007. The ECU marching band wore ribbons remembering the victims, and ECU donated $100,000 to Virginia Tech's memorial fund. This was the first time visiting team received cheers from VT fans, according to a report by local outlet Wral.com.
Showing unity is an essential step toward recovery following a community-based trauma. After the New Orleans attack, the Notre Dame University president issued a statement expressing the university's support to those suffering. Expressions of solidarity can provide comfort to young adults following a traumatic event.
San Diego State University vs. University of Las Vegas (Symbols of Remembrance)
On October 7, 2017, following the mass shooting on the Las Vegas Strip, SDSU and UNLV met for a football game. The matchup was filled with symbols of remembrance. According to reports on NCAA.com and ESPN.com, both teams displayed red ribbon decals on their helmets, and a 100-yard American flag was used for the national anthem to honor first responders. The victim of the shooting flipped the coin toss, and various other symbols were present, as outlined by ESPN.com. SDSU won by a score of 41-10.
Rituals and symbols of remembrance are crucial in coping with trauma. A 2019 report on PsychologyToday.com highlighted the role of rituals in coping with grief. Young adults often struggle to express their emotions following a traumatic event, and rituals can help them acknowledge their emotions. Participating in a ritual at a sports event might offer a comfortable and familiar avenue for many young adults to cope with trauma.
While full healing and recovery may not be attainable following a terror attack, experiencing factors known to aid in healing is essential for those affected. In the United States, college football can offer some of these factors.
After the terror attack in New Orleans, many young adults and college students likely found solace in attending the NCAA football game, recognizing the power of sporting events to unite communities and provide a sense of normality following tragedy. In fact, this phenomenon is not unprecedented; following the September 11 attacks, the Army vs. Navy game served as a symbol of unity, bringing together a divided nation through football.
Similarly, the football match between East Carolina University and Virginia Tech in 2007, played just months after a campus shooting, was marked by an unprecedented demonstration of solidarity. These examples highlight the role of college athletics in supporting communities after tragedies, providing young adults with a sense of belonging and standing alongside them in their healing process.
