Bills fans remember what’s important during hardest moment

By Anthony Bialy  |   Monday, February 16, 2009  |  Comments( 65 )

Buffalo Bills
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
The platitude is that tragedies put sports in perspective, but real-life events shouldn’t change anything. Everyone should already know that athletics aren’t fundamentally important, and an unspeakable loss of life merely emphasizes a notion always lurking nearby, namely that our existences are gravely delicate. Buffalo Bills fans are coping with solemn realities after last week's nearby plane crash in Clarence Center, N.Y., and it makes everyone realize how lucky they are to have what they have during a time when football is at the back of everyone’s minds.

Most national tragedies provoke detached sorrow, but this horrifying incident occurred literally not far from many fans’ backyards. This was both unbelievably awful and nearby, and the sympathy felt for victims and their loved ones is naturally far more immediate than feelings directed toward those suffering following an event that occurred a thousand miles away.

The only thing that feels worse than watching the news is turning it off and lying down for bed, as the stillness gives your brain a chance to think about the horror that for a great deal of Bills backers was happening only miles away.

In turn, the brutal silence is broken again upon awaking by the steady feed of news reports bringing the latest agonizing details from the accident’s aftermath. While just being in close proximity is horrible enough, those actually directly impacted are enduring the unendurable. The most extraordinarily sorrowful thought comes after hearing each heart-turning story from a family that lost a loved one: realizing that the same anguishing situation is being repeated 49 more times becomes excruciating.

Even for those not personally affected, the pain caused by overwhelming events like what happened in Clarence doesn’t go away; rather, iit just leaves scar tissue. Despite talk of healing, wounds always at least partly remain, and the only thing that will even make it close to feeling better is time. For now, the best prospect for getting through grief actually mirrors a characteristic displayed by sports fans, namely the sense of unity that runs deep through Buffalo.

The same devotion shown to the Bills by the whole of Western New York makes caring for neighbors in distress second nature. While sports may not seem to carry relevance at a time like this, the loyalty shared by a team fans genuinely love is now proving useful. The same people who vigorously stick behind the Bills regardless of how the team performs are the ones who are going to reflexively help those truly in need; all will persevere together. It shows how what we gain from sports actually matters.

When not helping in any way possible, it’s OK to continue cherishing even relatively minor pursuits. People are capable of caring about things with differing significances, which is why it’s fine to love sports and yet still take life’s important matters seriously. Discussing Trent Edwards’ mechanics, the right amount of blitzing for this defense, and which kind of end management should draft first are the sorts of topics that bring enjoyment to the lives of football crazies, and this is as good a time as any to remember to pursue passions while the chance is here.

This is of course thoughts and prayers time, and fans can take breaks to appreciate joyful diversions, even if right now it’s just a fleeting escape.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (65)

About Anthony Bialy

I'm just here to submit columns.
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report