PETE PAGUAGA — Sports Editor
A few weeks ago, when Paul McCartney performed at the Grammys, there were countless tweets and Google searches as people across America wanted to know who he was. After reading about this, I was shocked; my own roommate had no idea that he was a member of the Beatles.
That got me thinking. Last week was the 32nd anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice.” I had to wonder if people may have forgotten about the greatest sports moment in American history in the same way they’ve forgotten the Paul McCartney.
I really hope not. I obviously wasn’t around to watch it in 1980, but when HBO came out with a documentary about the “Miracle on Ice” team and their journey to greatness in 2001, my father made sure I was sitting down next to him to watch it.
When I was 11 years old I thought America was the best at everything, so when I watched the documentary I was fascinated by it. I asked my dad all about; I had so many questions. I wanted to know everything about it because I had become obsessed.
When the movie came out in 2004, I was at the theater the first weekend with my dad—who during the USSR game was cheering like it was 1980 all over again.
The day of the anniversary I googled the “Miracle on Ice” and there was nothing. No talk of the anniversary. Nothing on ESPN.com. Nothing on yahoo.com. Nothing.
What has happened people? Are we too obsessed with one-hit wonders like Jeremy Lin and Tim Tebow or with the athletes who fall from grace like Tiger Woods and Ryan Braun?
We need to appreciate what the “Miracle on Ice” did not only for American ice hockey and American sports in general but also for our country.
During the Lake Placid Olympics, the American public was so low on self-esteem. There were 52 American hostages taken and held captive for 444 days from November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981, and President Jimmy Carter apparently wasn’t going to do anything about it.
America was being laughed at. We were down and we were hurting.
All it took was a group of 20-something-year-old kids and one inspirational head coach to change the morale of this country. This game was bigger than hockey; it was bigger than just sports.
If you have never seen the “Miracle on Ice” documentary or the movie Miracle, I strongly advise that you go check them out now. If you consider yourself a hockey fan—let alone an American—they are a must-watch.
We must not forget what happened on Feb. 22nd, 1980. We should celebrate it. It’s no longer ‘Do you believe in miracles?’ but ‘Do you remember the miracle?’
Pete, you have restored my faith in young America. I watched the miracle movie last week with my kids. I’m proud I watched those games live and still gets chills when I watch the movie now. A very proud moment indeed when a bunch of tough well conditioned well coached kids beat the “best” hockey team in the world. Country pride aside, there are other lessons to be learned by watching this movie that shouldn’t be glossed over; the individuals from various colleges had to become one as Team USA, egos had to be checked at the door, do whatever it takes to get the job done, practice, practice, practice, never give up, trust the coach, trust your teammates, sacrifice for the team, play smart all the time, never give up a point….Hey, maybe this movie should be mandatory viewing for everyone in corporate America 🙂
Glad you remembered this important event
Nobody ever stopped us, no one ever will!
Keep writing….Keep Rocking…