It's hard to believe that's it's been seven years since the horrible attacks on our country; I was talking with a friend today and said man how fast it has been since that attack. As I write this, I'm still amazed it's been seven years.

I, like the rest of the country, remember that day like it was yesterday. I was working in Iowa and was called at my house by my buddy who used to live in NYC and screamed that I turn on the TV....I said dude, it's early and he demanded I turn it on. It's a sound in his voice I'll never forget.

Seeing those towers come crashing down is something I'll never forget. This was my Pearl Harbor. I couldn't get enough of the updates. I knew an attack was imminent and was wondering if a draft would be assigned. I think I was more tuned into the coverage as I just couldn't believe that this was actually happening. Sports was the last thing on my mind.

We all have our stories about that horrific day, but I remember debating with a friend a few days following the attacks about the role of sports and whether or not seasons should be canceled. My friend was against playing and I was on the fence. I saw his/her point but strongly felt that maybe it would take our minds off of what happened for just a moment. Looking back, maybe it was the best thing that could have happened. I remember the poem former Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck wrote and recited prior to the first Cardinals game back following 9-11 (which was replayed prior to tonight's game) that showed us the power and healing sports can offer.

It's amazing how sports brought this country together during such a trying time and still does. But somehow someway, no matter what the sport is, the game takes us away from whatever problem we may have for that brief moment and takes our mind off what-ever our problem is. It's a way for us to get away from our daily grind, and like Mr. Buck said in his poem, "There is no choice today,
There is only one thing to do." And that was to continue on, despite the horrific attack. And that is what we have done. America has not forgotten....Nor will we ever. We simply use sports to put our own personal problems in the rear-view mirror for a few hours to enjoy ourselves.