When the cheering stopped

One year ago today, the cheering stopped. Playing fields and gyms across the country went silent. There were no whistles, no squeeking shoes, no chattering teammates, no laughing children, no screaming coaches, no cheering parents.

Only a deafening silence remained. A silence that said no games today. Because games suddenly weren't that important. This wasn't a time to play. It was a time to pray.

Sept. 11, 2002 was the day that sports were no longer important. How could they be? The very fabric of our society that makes sports in this country great was under attack.

We didn't need the talking...