Pride, Unity, and Heart: Team USA’s Postgame Anthem Moves Everyone to Tears
MILAN — What happened was supposed to be just another exciting ending to an Olympic game.
After a tough and close game that ended with a 2-1 win over Sweden in overtime, Team USA had every reason to cheer loudly and happily.
The scoreboard showed that they had won.
They had made it to the semifinals.
The audience cheered as gloves and sticks flew into the air.
Teammates hugged each other while tired, and coaches congratulated each other with strong handshakes by the bench.
For a few thrilling moments, it was the pure joy of sports at its best.
Then something surprising took place.
The loud noise started to quiet down.
The American players gradually moved away from their bench and skated to the center of the ice.
There were no signals from the arena staff.
No music played.
No lights focused on them.
No announcer told everyone to stay in their seats.
Instead, the players, coaches, and staff gathered tightly around a microphone set up near the center of the ice.
Then they started to sing.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” came not from loudspeakers, but from the voices of everyone on Team USA.
Their singing was calm.
It wasn’t dramatic.
It wasn’t loud for show.
It was simply heartfelt and united.
The arena, which had just been loud with cheers, became very quiet.
Fans who had been yelling their hearts out during the overtime now stood completely still.
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