Let There Be No Doubt: Sports Are Back

The day that sports were put on hold as the COVID pandemic descended upon America, was the day many Americans realized just how serious of a situation we were in. Not only were we unsure of what was to come for us and our loved ones, but we weren’t sure of when we would be able to once again enjoy the great American pastime of sports. 

Many a dull day was spent aimlessly wandering around the house, watching NBA games from the 1990s, and listening to as many sports podcasts as the day allowed. Even as the pandemic was in full swing and we were trying to grasp the severity of our situation, we couldn’t help but think “It would be easier to get through this if we just had sports.” 

And then they returned. Ever so slowly, leagues began returning to action. It was a welcome sight that accompanied a feeling of normalcy — if even for a moment. But once the initial feeling of joy wore off, we realized how much was missing without fans in the stands. There was an emptiness to the games — no roars from the crowd, no groans of disappointment, no emotions.

As fans began to slowly return to stadiums and arenas nationwide, there was still something missing. 

It was found on Sunday. 

With a phenomenal slate of games, we started to sense it — the sports world was back, and it was all due to the crowds. 

As Phil Mickelson was fighting his way through the final round on the Ocean Course at the PGA Championship, the crowd continued to swell. There wasn’t a mask in sight as the chants of “Lefty, Lefty, Lefty,” echoed across the greens. The energy could be felt through the TV screen as the crowd rushed to the 18th green to watch Mickelson become the oldest golfer to win a major tournament. 

The shot. The scene.

We’re witnessing history.

(via @PGAChampionship) pic.twitter.com/3G5otMjIOY

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 23, 2021

“Slightly unnerving, but exceptionally awesome,” Mickelson said of the fans surrounding him on the 18th fairway. 

As Mickelson was attempting to wade through the mass of patrons, the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks were tipping off game one of their first-round playoff series at Madison Square Garden in New York. For the first time in eight years, the Knicks played a playoff game at MSG, and the 15,000 fans at the arena on Sunday made up for lost time. 

Atlanta’s Trae Young sank a game-winning floater with 0.9 seconds in the 4th quarter, but it was his reaction after the shot that really told the story — he raised his finger to his lips to silence the crowd. 

“At the end of the day, fans can only talk. They can’t guard me.”

– Trae Young
(h/t @KLChouinard ) pic.twitter.com/zn6gLjMz3J

— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) May 24, 2021

“I’m glad the fans are back,” Young said after the game. “I’m glad MSG was rocking tonight.” 

All over the country sports were being played with fans in attendance. In Nashville,Tennessee, 12,000 fans were at Bridgestone Arena for the Predators vs Carolina game — but in our sports-starved minds — it felt like a sellout.

Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Taylor Lewan seemed to have some pent up aggression and covid fatigue as the Predators tied up the series 2-2.

Podcaster Taylor Lewan absolutely burying beers at the Preds game @BussinWTB pic.twitter.com/hylO6l5mLq

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) May 23, 2021

Whether it’s hockey, baseball, basketball, or golf, one thing is clear — sports are just better with fans in the stands. On Sunday, it felt like we finally leaped over one of the final hurdles of the pandemic, and with playoff sports here to stay for the next two months, it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].

The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

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