WWE, MLB and the NHL: How Sports Helped Personally Ease My 9/11 Sadness

Today, is September 11, 2011. It is a day where I will take off my sports writer's cap and instead will proudly wear the colors of the American flag. Today is a day where I will remember those lost, those gone, but not forgotten.

I thought today would be a good day to tell how the WWE, the New York Mets of the MLB and the New York Rangers of the NHL helped to ease the pain of September 11th 2001.

People have said they will always remember where they were, what they were doing and what was happening when they heard the news from New York City, Shanksville, PA and Washington D.C. Just the same I remember where I was.

I was a doe-eyed nine-year-old, starting my second day of fourth grade in a brand new school. The sky was blue as far as the eye could see. I can remember my Mom telling me today was going to be a beautiful day as we drove along the Hudson River. I was dropped off at school at 8:00 a.m. and the day started.

Then, as we all know, the story takes a turn for the worse and the World Trade Center and Pentagon came under attack by commercial jets that were hijacked by terrorists. We all know the tragedies that occurred on this day, but I don't want you to remember the pain of this day. Instead, remember how sports helped get many Americans, including myself, through this terrible day.

I will never forget the first SmackDown after September 11th. Vince McMahon stepped into the ring and gave an amazing, uplifting speech.

He firmly echoed,

"

"We will not live in fear, the citizens of Houston are not afraid, the citizens of Texas are not afraid, and by God, the citizens of the United States of America are not afraid. We will fight for our rights, we will fight for our families, and we will fight for our freedom"

"

That speech really moved me and brought me to tears, and it was so inspiring. There were so many people in the building, and it really was a true testament to our nation and that people were not going to allow others to control how we lived our lives.

That night, there were no bad guys and there were no good guys. All of the wrestlers were untied as one. They were all human and they're only goal was to entertain and console the fans. It was a great sight to see so quickly after the tragedies of 9/11.

After that moment, many of the sports around the world had ceased. Games were postponed and the world was weeping. However, baseball would return to New York City on September 21, 2001. It was only 10 days after the tragedies had occurred and the New York Mets faced the Atlanta Braves.

Once bitter rivals, on that night both sides embraced each other as brothers and friends. It was no longer about baseball, but it was about America and remembering what was truly important. That game is a memory I will never forget. 

It was the bottom of the eighth inning, the Mets were down and my hero stepped to the plate with a chance to give the Mets the lead. Mike Piazza stood at the plate and was facing Steve Karsay, a pitcher who seemed to always have Mike's number.

However, on this night, Mike and the city of New York would be triumphant. Mike Piazza would belt a two-run home run, which would stand as the game winner. It is a memory that brought tears to my eyes and I will never forget it.

The last sports moment that stood out in my mind was the New York Rangers' home opener on October 7th, 2001.

I will never forget the NYPD and NYFD hockey teams skating onto the ice before the Rangers. Then Mark Messier led his Rangers onto the ice wearing an NYFD helmet. The pregame ceremony honoring those lost brought tears to my eyes. The Rangers and Buffalo Sabres both wore special jerseys that night. It simply read "New York," and it was a simple yet elegant tribute that united both teams on the ice.

The moral of my little story is simple: I was a nine-year-old kid who didn't know what was going on in the world. However, seeing my favorites wrestlers, athletes and teams moving on helped give me some closure and relief. If they could move on with their lives and show the world they weren't afraid, then so could I. 

Today is a day that will bring sadness and tears to our eyes. However, we must not forget those who died. They may be gone but they will never be forgotten. Keep your heads up high and be proud always.

Tom Urtz is an NHL Featured Columnist, a New York Rangers Featured Columnist, a WWE Featured Columnist and a lifelong sports fanatic.

 Tom can be found on Twitter by clicking the button below.