NFL Cashing in on Sandy Hook Children at Super Bowl - jmik58's Blog

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NFL Cashing in on Sandy Hook Children at Super Bowl Stuck

Posted on January 30, 2013 at 11:14 PM.

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Is this Oprah or a football game?

Maybe I'm mistaken, but the last time I checked the Super Bowl is a sporting event -- not a spectacle where politics or reality t.v. sensationalism have a seat. Sports is a release from life and the tragedies that befall us from time to time. The greatest night in all of professional sports needs no supplement. It is as "reality" as it gets.

What could possibly be missing from the Super Bowl experience to make it even greater? According to the NFL, parading around traumatized children from Newtown, Connecticut, is just what the doctor ordered.

Twenty-six students from Sandy Hook Elementary School will sing during the Super Bowl pregame to honor the victims of the recent school massacre. If you need to know the significance of the number (26) or aren't familiar with the incident from just over a month ago, chances are you've been living under a rock or you are a child trying to live out your years of innocence.

Hopefully, however, you don't live in Newtown, Connecticut -- or go to Sandy Hook Elementary -- because for the rest of your life you won't allowed to be normal, be innocent, or hide under any kind of rock. Most children that survived the unthinkable tragedy from that horrible day will be forced to relive it for the rest of their childhoods and probably adult lives. Not from memory, however, but because the sensational make-a-buck media won't let them forget.

They'll be toured through television shows more than an Iowa mom with septuplets. They'll be written about in books, movies; some may even write their own. Many will be supported through mental health evaluations and treatment -- while certainly necessary in some cases -- but to what point?

"Tell me, young seven-year old; why are you sad? You don't think you are or don't understand -- well it must be due to the traumatic events we want you think you suffered which we'll shovel down your throat for the rest of your existence."

Oh but we're not done of course. Let's not forget the reunion shows; the anniversaries. Oprah, Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, TMZ. Rinse. Repeat.

The NFL is no different apparently. These kids aren't being healed by performing in front of millions of people around the world, and neither are these people cleansed by witnessing these children perform America the Beautiful. Invite some of the children and their families in for the game, but who is the spectacle -- this parade of victims -- really benefiting?

I expect this type of covert exploitation by TMZ or Dr. Phil, but not the NFL. The greatest game on the biggest stage doesn't need the fluff. The Super Bowl can handle itself, it can stand alone. You know, alone -- the place where innocent children should be left to live their lives.

Sound Off: What is your reaction to the NFL's decision to have a pre-game Super Bowl performance by Sandy Hook Elementary School students?

Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Give him hell in the comments or on Twitter: @long_snapper

Comments

# 1 Retropyro @ Jan 31

Politics has a place apparently, why else have they done a sit-down interview with Obama before the SB for the last few years?
I mean if they spoke to him strictly about the game, that's fine but they always go into politics when I just want to watch pregame stuff.
The problem with situations like the Sandy Hook tragedy is the NFL is damned if they and do and damned if they don't. If they do nothing, people and media types will scream that the NFL should have done something, anything to acknowledge the event and honor the victims.
Personally if they wanted to do something nice for the survivors and the victims family's, they should have just offered to just fly them in with tickets to the game and some private meet and greets with the players.

# 2 mvspree8 @ Jan 31

I don't think this is the NFL exploiting these kids... come on man.

# 3 eyeknowzz @ Jan 31

Thank you for writing this. I feel the exact same way. Enough is enough with the Sandy Hook tie-ins. Let those people heal away from the spotlight.

# 4 GlennN @ Jan 31

I agree with mvspree8 - I do not see this as an exploitation at all. The NFL frequently is just doing a money grab, but this is not one of those things. This is them actually trying to do the right thing (yeah, feels odd, right?). Plus, at this point, to say the SB is only about sports is naive. The SB has transcended sports for years now.

# 5 Jadakiss88 @ Jan 31

Those kids don't need to be paraded in front of Millions of viewers to feel special though. Ever since the incident players and coaches have been there for support. Cruz visited students and fans in the town and people actually went to the school.

It's a time to heal and then it's a time to help them move forward. This will not help them move forward it actually holds them in the spotlight as victims.

# 6 jsquigg @ Jan 31

Are the kids being forced to sing before the game or did they agree to it? The tone of this article makes it seem as if we should just forget tragedies and leave the victims alone. Maybe, and I know it's crazy, the kids wanted to do this to honor the children of Sandy Hook. Sports actually has a role in healing, believe it or not. If I hear about the children being forced to sing or constantly exploited, I'll change my tune, but it seems that this is being done to help heal. Maybe the Sandy Hook community appreciates being supported rather than wanting to be "left alone." Honestly, much of the front page content on operation sports has turned into a tabloid tire fire.

# 7 Nexgenrulz @ Jan 31

As tragic as it was, the media continues to ignore the homicides in the city of Chicago. 4700+ since 2003. More than the deaths of American service men and women in Afghanistan. So yea, I agree that the NFL is exploiting the Sandy Hook tragedy. All to push their gun control agenda. Right in line with the media in this country. I for one won't be watching.

# 8 mestevo @ Jan 31

This really oversensitive IMO, unless you've seen anything suggesting they've been coerced to perform.

# 9 cusefan74 @ Feb 1

No one is exploiting anyone here. I don't think anyone is saying that they have to go on TV, and if they want to heal out of the spotlight then they can. Something that we have to remember is, if we stop putting them in the spotlight, then people will start complaining because we are forgetting about them. Bottom line no one is being exploited here.

# 10 cavsfan2 @ Feb 3

Or maybe the parents shouldn't let their kid do it if they are concerned? The parents should step in if they are uncomfortable.