By Cory Tell ’14, Sports Editor

Often times, in the face of unjust tragedy, the national spotlight shines upon the perpetrator that is condemned with the doleful event. Following the Aurora shooting in Colorado, the gunman, James Holmes, was constantly shown on TV, and his face appeared all over the Internet. In the aftermath of cataclysmic incidents, it is usually very difficult to move on from the poignant memories of heartbreak and despair. However, following the tragic Boston Marathon explosion, there was a new inclination to fight the sadness of the brutal attack, and demonstrate a unique toughness. The response was unparalleled in its nature following a catastrophic event. While the innocent victims who were injured and killed at the hands of the wrongful bombings were certainly not forgotten, and the actions of the Boston police and fire department were admired, the attitude of not only Boston, but also the country in general, swung the attention away from the perpetrators, and highlighted the heart of America. The resiliency and strength of Boston, and the unity that Americans exhibited in the aftermath of the events was specifically personified through the venue of sports. As avid sports fan, Milan Toolsidas said, “Sports helped Boston deal with the tragedies, and it helped the country get through the bombings together.”

The firm might of Boston was quickly displayed at the first major sporting event in the city following the Boston Marathon. In a passionate, yet tender pregame ceremony just two days after the explosion on Boylston Street, the Boston Bruin fans encompassed the resiliency of Boston in their emotional tribute at TD Garden. After broadcasting images on the jumbotron of “All in for Boston,” and “WE ARE BOSTON… WE ARE STRONG,” a stadium full of 18,000 Bostonians showed their strength as they all joined together and sang the National Anthem as one grieving, and passionate, family. The stirring anthem was a reminder that, as Boston Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino wrote on his twitter, “Boston is a tough, resilient town and will prevail over this saddening tragedy.” This sentiment was further reflected by fellow Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz. Big Papi, as he is affectionately known by the Boston fans, captured the inspirational spirit of the city when he said a couple days later in the Red Sox return to Fenway Park, “This is our [expletive] city and nobody gonna dictate our freedom. Stay strong.” Athletes hold a very unique position in American society because few public figures are revered and venerated as much as professional sporting stars like Derek Jeter, LeBron James, and Peyton Manning. Since athletes serve as a paradigm for people across the country, when ballplayers like Shane Victorino and David Ortiz come forward to show their strength and patriotism, it resonates with an entire city of faithful followers and gets people to follow in their footsteps and display similar courage and fortitude. Sports enthusiast Eric Schwed reflected on the fact that athletics allowed a venue for people to express themselves and join together in common support of a team. He said, “I thought the response shown in sports was extremely impressive. It was impossible not to be moved by David Ortiz’s speech before the Red Sox game and the national anthem at the Bruins game. I think sports allowed people to show their support and rally around the people of Boston. The fact that the bombing occurred at an athletic event made sports even more important than usual in showing resiliency after a tragedy.”

The support for Boston was demonstrated nationwide at sporting events and encapsulated the unity of the country in the face of adversity. At baseball stadiums from Seattle to Atlanta, the song “Sweet Caroline,” which has become synonymous with the Red Sox, was sung as a tribute to the city of Boston. Even the New York Yankees, who form the fiercest rivalry in all of sports with the Red Sox, and are considered the “evil empire” by Sox fans, played “Sweet Caroline” to honor the city of Boston. Jake Faber recognized the fact that the support for Boston had no boundaries, and that the solidarity of America was embodied in the sporting realm. He declared, “These acts of support [from baseball teams] were demonstrative of the sense of unity that is ever-present within the U.S. It’s the type of support we saw with Sandy and Katrina, and it shows very much how being American is a tie that crosses state lines.”

Sydney Persing pronounced, “I think even though we have people die every day overseas, when we’re attacked on our own soil unexpectedly, it brings us together as a country more because we feel more personally connected to it. The city of Boston showed us that America will always triumph in times of tragedy.” Without sports, the sorrows and anguish of Boston would have been highlighted, rather than the strength and toughness of the city in dealing with the bombing. Sports provided a great medium for fans to come together and support one another, and it exemplified the resilience of an entire nation.