MNF Adds To Their National Anthem Shenanigans For The Year
First it was Emmitt and Young making their picks over the anthem, now it's the MNF producers completely nixing the song all together....This is getting a bit out of hand if you ask me. I'm not the most patriotic person in the world be the Anthem is just something you never should disrespect like this. It used to be aired before every game and now it's used to fill in commercials before the contest starts. I for one actually enjoy the time spent on the anthem before the game....it never fails to give me chills when someone does an amazing rendition. And if there's a flyby....forget about it. I'm ready to leap out of my skin.Vince Neil of Motley Crue warmed up several hours before Steelers game time, belting out the National Anthem before the stadium gates opened. Turns out,
that's the only time he got to sing it Monday night.
Rooney said Steelers officials were going to lead Neil onto the field to sing the anthem as the players came out of the locker room to warm up. However, Rooney asked them to wait because the fans, too, took cover when lightning struck and few were in their seats.
By the time the crowd returned to the stands, ESPN and the league did not want the anthem interfering with the broadcast.
"They waited, and then the league and the network said now we don't have a window," Rooney said. "It's unfortunate and certainly something we hope never happens again."
Let's make it a point to bring the anthem back to televised sports okay?
Update: There are conflicting reports on who called the code red, but the League is now taking blame.....
"While ESPN was worried about losing numerous TV viewers who might tune in for the game, only to flip channels during the delay and not return, ESPN spokesman Bill Hofheimer said it was the league's call to bypass the anthem." (Via Anon)
Rain also sidelined anthem before Steelers game (Post Gazette)
(Thanks to both Todd and Al for forwarding this along)
