What a weekend for America on the world stage. Patriotism was on full display by the gold medal-winning U.S. Men’s Hockey team on the ice, it was on display in bars across the nation, and you could hear it clearly and passionately in the voice of President Donald Trump when he called them up to congratulate them.
I couldn’t get enough of it. We did something we never do, which is watch television at 8am on a Sunday in order to make sure we saw it. And boy, were we glad we did. Will Cain of Fox News tweeted out something like, ‘My wife at 9:30 this morning didn’t know how many periods there were in hockey, but, by 10am, she was in tears and chanting USA.’ Same. I am ready to sign all three of my kids up for hockey, even though they are 16, 14, and 12 and no one can skate.
Pure Patriotism
What I am loving about the whole hockey situation – just watching and admiring it as an outsider – is that the sport obviously has patriotism pumping through its veins. The legacy of the legendary Herb Brooks runs strong. That is how it felt to me. You want to wear the USA hockey jersey? You better love the USA, and you better make that clear whenever and someone sticks a mic in your face.
These boys know that because it seems like they have been socialized to understand that you are expected to bleed red, white, and blue – and they do. It is not an affectation. I am sure they do it because they have been programmed to understand this is what is expected of you if you are going to put on the jersey. And I love their brotherhood – how close they are and how much they clearly love one another, in addition to the country.
It was just so uplifting to watch these gorgeous, promising young American athletes with the whole world at their fingertips and their entire lives in front of them. Most of these guys have been skating since they were two. There has been so much sacrifice. The number of man hours it took to make these gods on ice is kind of unfathomable. And that is why these moments made us cry, and cheer, and feel connected to one another through that TV box.
Historic Win
The big win this weekend came exactly 46 years after the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” when the U.S. men’s hockey team beat the Soviet Union in the semifinals at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. Remember that one? The beauty of these amazing Olympic victories is they can make you feel incredibly patriotic no matter what is happening in your country.
We were in the midst of a very dark period back in 1980 and this gift to us from this group of boys would be forever remembered. It is not to compare where we are today. It was a very different situation back in 1980. It was far worse, but there is no question we are politically divided here in the United States today. The odds weren’t quite as against us in this match as they were back in 1980, but it was still American pride, power, and patriotism on full display.
It is stunning how it made you feel when Jack Hughes scored the golden goal less than two minutes into overtime. It was pure joy when the players’ helmets went flying and they were out on the ice hugging. It was magic for them, and it was magic for all of us sane people in the country.
Thank You, Team USA
There were amazing videos going around social media of the celebrations that rang out here at home. There were videos of the players celebrating in the locker room as Aerosmith and Toby Keith played in the background. And then when they got a call from President Trump inviting them to the State of the Union Tuesday night, they didn’t hesitate to say yes. He barely got the question out before they said, “We’re in.”
It was not like the pussyfooted NFL players who are like, ‘We’re not going to celebrate our victory at the White House.’ Oh, grow up. Give the nation a moment of unity and something to feel good about. These guys get it. These aren’t all Republicans. I am sure there are a lot of Democrats on this team, but they know that the nation needs this and that we want to feel exactly what we are going to feel when we see the camera cut to those guys at the State of the Union.
It is not about left, it is not about right. It is not about blue, it’s not about red. It is about the United States of America and what it means to be an American, to be a fighter, to have freedom in your blood like those guys. Thank you for that, men’s hockey team.
You can check out Megyn’s full analysis by tuning in to episode 1,258 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s The Megyn Kelly Channel (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.