From the sidelines
By Marty Gordon
This week’s announcement to cancel Saturday’s Virginia Tech-Virginia football game was no surprise. What happened at the University of Virginia two weeks ago was a tragedy that reminded us the world is cruel and plenty of problems must be dealt with.
Gun violence has ripped society at its foundation, and mental health is a bigger part of the problem than we all have admitted for a long time.
Sports is a big part of the world and is not immune to this problem. Too many media reports this past week centered around what happened on the UVA campus and similar incidents in Idaho and New Mexico. Young lives have been taken too soon.
Hokies have poured out their support for the Hoos. I can remember when the Hoos did the same for the Hokies in the wake of the previous shooting massacre. The two incidents have brought together fans whose different loyalties make them intense rivals.
We must remember the football players and other individuals who were affected by the shooting.
The decision to cancel the game was made following communication between the Atlantic Coast Conference and Virginia and Virginia Tech athletic department administrations.
The ACC and Virginia Tech continue to support UVA following the tragedy that resulted in the deaths of three members of the Cavalier football team: Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry, and injuries to students Mike Hollins (also a Virginia football student-athlete) and Marlee Morgan.
No good reason exists to play this game. Neither team was planning to play in a bowl game. Both are in a rebuilding year under first-year coaches.
Yes, ticket holders were bummed. But again, this is bigger than just one game. This is bigger than the Commonwealth Cup.
We cannot imagine what the UVA coaches and players are going through. I would think that all of us shed a tear or two this past week when we watched a memorial service that should never have happened. But it did.
Thus, let’s take a moment to remember that “it’s just a game.”
Life is more important than what we tailgate, celebrate, and cheer for every Saturday in the fall.
So take a moment to hug your loved ones. Remember the person you pass in Walmart or in other public places more than likely is battling his or her own inner turmoil. Smile and say excuse me. Say hello and treat people with more respect
We must change the world one football game at a time.