Patriotic Moments in American Sports History

As news of the death of Osama Bin Laden trickled throughout the stands of Citizens Bank Park in the top of the ninth inning last evening, fans in Philadelphia began chanting "U-S-A," as many stood and reacted to the news.

What was at the time a 1-1 game became an afterthought as the crowd spontaneously burst into the "U-S-A" chant. The patriotic sentiments in Philadelphia, being broadcast across the country on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, seemed to mirror the feelings many Americans across the country were experiencing.

So often, the world of sports operates in its own bubble, the events that occur on the court, ice or playing field seeming to take on dire stakes.

But throughout American history, there have been those moments that require the world of sports to pay tribute to something bigger than the games themselves, or lend a helping hand when disasters have struck, or simply return to play and help a nation heal.

We remember these patriotic moments in American sports (recalled in reverse-chronological order).

May 1, 2011: Citizen's Bank Park Reacts to News of Bin Laden's Death

The aforementioned scene from last evening.

February 3, 2002: U2 Honors 9/11 Victims During the Super Bowl Halftime Show

In one of the classiest halftime performances in Super Bowl history, U2 honored the victims of the September 11th attacks.

The pregame ceremonies were also in tribute, as many NFL players read from the Declaration of Independence, and President George H.W. Bush became the first US president to ever appear in-person for the coin toss.

The game was also memorable for the Patriots' entrance, as they ran on the field as a team, rather than choosing either the offense or defense to send on the field.

October 30, 2001: President Bush Throws out First Pitch

There are countless moments to recount as baseball returned from the events of 9/11, namely the relief efforts held by the Mets and Yankees, all of which could compose an entire piece of its own. In fact, I might suggest you begin watching this video around the 4:20 mark.

But when President George W. Bush stood on the mound in the middle of Yankee stadium to throw out the first pitch for Game 3 of the 2001 World Series, there was something special in the air, and the true connection baseball holds in the consciousness of American culture was never more evident.

And then, President Bush threw a strike.

It was an amazing moment, and another example of how baseball helped to heal America during those trying months immediately following the attacks of 9/11.

September 20, 2001: Flyers and Rangers Game Halted for President Bush's Speech

Flyers play-by-play announcer Jim Jackson recalls the evening in Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center.

January 19, 1991: National Anthem Accompanied by Roaring Cheers

In support of the troops abroad during the Gulf War, fans at Chicago Stadium for the 1991 NHL All-Star Game nearly drowned out singer Wayne Messmer during the National Anthem.

The game was broadcast in the US and Canada, along with being broadcasted for the soldiers abroad.

January 25, 1981: The Superdome's Yellow Ribbon for Freed Iran Hostages

Super Bowl XV took place only days after the 52 American hostages were freed after 444 days of captivity in Iran.

To commemorate the event, the Superdome in New Orleans was fashioned with a large, yellow ribbon, which had become a symbol of American solidarity during the hostage crisis.

February 22, 1980: The Miracle on Ice

There is perhaps no event in American sports history more famous than the US Olympic hockey team defeating the mighty Soviet Union in the 1980 Lake Placid games, in the midst of the Cold War.

Though the game was a hugely symbolic moment for the country as a whole, it was also one of the most remarkable upsets in Olympic history. The American team consisted of college players; the Soviet team had compiled a 5-3-1 record against NHL earlier that year, and in 1979 defeated the NHL All-Stars 6-0.

As well, the US National team lost to the Soviets 10-3 earlier that year.

But all of that would be moot when the American team defeated the Soviets in the Olympics, 4-3, and would go on to win the gold medal by defeating Finland, 4-2.

April 25, 1976: Rick Monday Prevents Burning of a Flag

While playing center field for the Cubs against the Dodgers, Monday prevented two fans who had run on the field from burning an American flag in Dodger Stadium.

June 22, 1938: Joe Louis Knocks out Max Schmeling

Avenging his 1936 loss to Germany's Schmeling, Louis' first-round TKO of Schmeling resonated around the world in the months leading up to the onset of World War II.

The initial victory for Schmeling was touted by Nazi Germany as proof of Aryan superiority. Before the rematch, President Franklin D. Roosevelt told Louis, "Joe, we need muscles like yours to beat Germany."

In one of the most famous sporting events of the twentieth century, Louis didn't disappoint.

Photo from BBC

Jesse Owens' Historic 1936 Olympics

Getty Images/Getty Images

BERLIN - 1936 : Jesse Owens of the USA in action in the mens 200m at the 1936 Summer Olympic Games held in Berlin, Germany. Owens won a total of four gold medals in the Olympics, winning the mens 100m final, 200m final and the long jump competiton as we

Amidst Nazi propaganda touting Aryan supremacy and a resurgent Germany, Owens stole the show at the 1936 Berlin Games, winning four gold medals (100 meter sprint, 200 meter sprint, the 4 x 100 meter sprint, and the long jump).

It was not only a proud moment for Americans everywhere, but a reminder for the world of Hitler's flawed notions about peoples of African descent.

Sadly, it would not lessen the racism that continued to pervade American society.