Apr 16, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Military personnel stand guard at the intersection of Berkeley and Boylston Streets the day after a bombing near finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
A few hours ago as the Indiana Pacers landed back home again, Ben Hansbrough tweeted “Great to be back in Indianapolis.. Back home in the gym. Ill always remember what happened in Boston, was 2 blocks away. #pray4boston#strong”
The Pacers come home today with heavy hearts, not because of a lost game, but because of the impact of what they experienced in Boston. The game between the Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics was canceled due to the horrific events that took place yesterday afternoon. Luckily none of the players were present for the Boston Marathon. They had skipped practice at Emerson College to go see a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park.
According to Mike Wells, writer for the Indianapolis Star, the Pacers normal choice of hotels in Boston was under construction so they were forced to chose a different location. That first choice would have placed their hotel right by the finish line for the Boston Marathon.
David Benner, spokesman for the Indiana Pacers said in an interview with WIBC that he had been at the finish line of the Marathon but left to go back to his hotel before the explosions went off. Shortly after the tragedy, Benner let the media know that everyone in the teams traveling party were safe and accounted for.
As they witnessed the aftermath, the Indiana Pacers players obviously felt the impact of this tragedy. Many around the world began sending tweets of their reactions and the team was no different. Orlando Johnson sent, “Please pray for the city of Boston and the people who have been harmed on this day..Such a tragedy!! #prayforboston.” Lance Stephen sent, “I pray for all the people that was there in Boston.” Finally, Roy Hibberts response was, “We live in a f***** up world. Simple things like running or supporting people in a marathon. Or taking your kids to school you feel unsafe.” A little while later he sent, “Get me outta here.”
It’s obvious that this had a great impact on those who were in the city yesterday. How could it not? People sitting by their televisions and radios here in Indiana felt the impact form 900 miles away. It’s times like this that cause people to take a moment and pay attention to things. Moments like this transcend sports. They transcend the business of our lives and all the things that only one minute earlier we thought were so important.
It’s hard in times like this to think about games, players or playoffs. We realize that there’s no difference between us and the famous athletes. We all are impacted, we all hurt for those whose lives were devastated. We all join together in thoughts and prayers and support for those who suffered senselessly. Join the Indiana Pacers, join your friends, join your coworkers in some kind of support for the innocent lives impacted yesterday.