Why is the national anthem always performed at American sporting events?

My best guess is to say “this is important, we take this game seriously” or “this is what freedom is to us” “or it is to remind people that Americans are being judged so be on your best behavior”
It also can be the only way that people can memorize the star spangled banner, by shoving it in everyone’s face” for example I can recite the lords oath even though I’m not an practicing Catholic anymore.

It was a tradition started during the first World War to boost morale, there is no law requiring it be played.

It’s the way it’s sung that bugs me, over the top performers desperately attempting to out-warble each other. Some of them sound like they’re in rather a lot of pain.

Because america is the most nationalist western country since 1945.

Because people in the US are not easily embarrassed – even when they should be?

Some countries play their national anthem before a movie starts in the theater.

@ucme It’s cause everyone’s trying to be Whitney Houston.

@tom_g Talk about embarrassing . Though she was Canadian, but damn…..

@uberbatman – Thanks. That is so great! My coworker just stopped by my office to ask what I was laughing at.

@uberbatman What…dead? :P

Tradition.

Some would say it behooves the nation to be constantly reminded that we are “special.” At least to some extent. Helps keep people joining our voluntary military. I would even argue that feeling like your country is special is good for society in that children and adults feel they live n a place that provides them with freedom and opportunity. When I say special, I would not go as far to say unique, which is often the overtone, like America is better than every other cöuntry in the world. I think that thinking goes way too far, but nothing wrong with appreciated the country you live in.

It’s for camaraderie, morale for the crowds. It’s sort of a way of saying, “we’re all one, let’s have a good game, we’re thankful for being able to play this sport, without our military this might not be possible so were grateful for them too, and oh were damn proud that we have this nation, it’s not perfect by any means, but we must acknowledge that with out the horrible past their is no beautiful future sort of thing”

It’s funny how people call us the most “nationalist” nation in the West. Us being nationalist compared to China, N. Korea is a complete joke. Furthermore U.S. sports fans tend to be more respectful than most when it comes to nation vs nation crowds. Not even with NFL fans are they as crazy as soccer fans in Brazil, Euro, Africa. (You guys riot onto the field and kill each other haha, it’s barbarism)

Tradition, by now.

@_Whitetigress The jelly who mentioned nationalism is German, and they tend to be very sensitive to any indiciations of nationalism.

We have stories in America of people getting killed in crowds because of a rockstar, so probably we shouldn’t throw stones. It is true that some countries seem to be a little more nutso regarding sporting events, even murders have happened, but we have our moments. I have a feeling when people comment on the western world they are not including developing nations in Latin America, Africa, or even Europe. But, I might be wrong.

To support the system?

I do not even understand what ‘Nation’ means…

Its shows the beginning of something but don’t know it is for inspiration or something else.

@ml3269 “Nation” is sorta synonymous with “heritage.”