• by Adam Bernard , September 13, 2001

Throughout our nation's history, including such events as the Great Depression, and World War II, there has always been one constant - sports. Sports have always been there to take our minds off of the current events of the day, and simply let us enjoy a few hours of our lives before returning to them. War could put almost everything in the world on hold, but not sports, not until now.

Until this week, Major League baseball had never cancelled all their games on two consecutive days, but right now they don't even know when they're going to play again. On Friday the league will make a decision on when they will resume play. Minor league baseball has also been put on hold, with some leagues canceling the rest of their seasons, and playoffs.

The National Football League has decided to not play this weekend after exploring several possibilities, including staggering the games, and playing four on Monday night, making ABC's Monday Night Football regional. League VP Joe Browne did not say whether the games were canceled or postponed. Pat Hanlon, VP of communications for the New York Giants, said "I wouldn't use the word canceled, but we're not playing this weekend."

Pittsburgh Steelers Running Back Jerome Bettis, was quoted in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette saying "The country is in mourning, and we are the country's entertainment. I don't know if the country wants to be entertained right now."

According to The Arizona Republic, Arizona Cardinals Strong Safety Pat Tillman noted "There will still be people trapped in buildings when we're playing games. Where could police do the most good, guarding a football stadium, where you know security will be heightened, or sifting through rubble searching for survivors? Especially in New York."

The majority of Division I college football games are expected to be played Saturday after the 10 I-A conference commissioners decided to let their members decide whether to play or not. Thursday's games, however, and some key Saturday games, such as No. 1 Miami and No. 13 Washington, and No. 11 Georgia Tech against No. 5 Florida State were postponed.

For the first time in five years the PGA Tour canceled a tournament, as the World Golf Championship has been canceled.

The National Hockey League has cancelled all of its preseason games that were scheduled for Saturday, and still haven't decided what to do about Sunday's games. The league has also shifted all its operations from its New York office to its office in Toronto.

NASCAR canceled qualifying Friday for the New Hampshire 300.

Major League Soccer postponed four games scheduled for Wednesday, and The U.S. national women's soccer game against Japan in the Nike Cup, scheduled to be held in Chicago on Tuesday, has also reportedly been cancelled.

The entire sporting world remains on hold.