In an earlier entry, Gelf enumerated the ways in which sports columnists contextualize tragedy. To wit:

• Sports Are an Uneccessary Distraction


• Sports Are a Necessary Distraction


• Disasters Force Athletes to Have Perspective

This pretty much spans the range of columnist's responses. But what of coaches? For them, Disasters are a Great Motivator!

The Times's game story about last night's Giants-Cardinals match-up has this to say by the Giants' coach:

Coach Tom Coughlin, whose son Tim escaped from the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, said the Giants were motivated to win on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Pregame ceremonies included family members of victims of the attacks, and Coughlin wore an "FDNY" cap throughout the game. He told his players during the week and at halftime, when the Giants trailed by 13-7, that they could not lose on this day.

I couldn't agree more. If the Arizona Cardinals win, the terrorists win, is what I always say. There's always some good in tragedy--I'm sure those whose relatives did die on that day will take comfort in the Giants' victory.

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