TBN: Doug Allen forgoing vaccine and stepping away from Sabres

[Buffaloed]

Doug Allen, iconic anthem singer, forgoing vaccine and stepping away from Sabres

Allen was gracious as always. He says it has nothing to do with politics or religion. He's already has had Covid and sees no reason to get vaccinated. He says he would consider it if his job at an auto parts store required it because he needs to be employed.

To Whom it may concern,
This letter is to inform the great Hockey fans of Western New York and Canada, that because of the vaccination policy adopted by the Sabres Organization, I will not be singing the National Anthems to start each Sabres home game this year. I am not anti-vaccine. There are many people at risk who should get it. But, I am old enough to understand the importance of choice and the freedom of being an American. I had Covid in January of 2021. I now have natural immunity, so I am choosing to not get vaccinated.
This was not an easy decision. I have no ill will toward the Sabres Organization. I cannot thank the Sabres and the fans enough for the joy it has been to sing for you. For more than 25 years I have felt at home on that carpet sharing a patriotic moment with all of you. I pray that I will soon be able to do it again. Go Sabres! God Bless America!
Respectfully submitted,
Douglas P. Allen

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[Old Navy Goat]

Good for him.

 

[Buffaloed]

So he's been doing this for free for all these years?

 

[Paxon]

My hot take is this is a good time to just stop doing anthems because it is a silly concept for a non-international sporting event.

 

[Kublakhan]

he will be missed..

 

[Chainshot]

My hot take is this is a good time to just stop doing anthems because it is a silly concept for a non-international sporting event.

Agreed.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

My hot take is this is a good time to just stop doing anthems because it is a silly concept for a non-international sporting event.

I feel the opposite, I think the deterioration in national pride is a travesty. Go to an event in another country whether it's sporting, a movie etc and in most the national anthem is played

 

[Zach716]

So he's been doing this for free for all these years?

Unless this was facetious and I didn’t catch it I doubt it. He actually takes house calls and performed for my uncles birthday a couple years back (as weird as that seems lol)

 

[cybresabre]

Did he do that dopey pandering point at the end? Happy birthday to *you* works, heck, it is probably what started that whole thing.

I won't miss the guy. Have the organ lead the crowd or bring in a high school kid to do it each week and make it about the song again, if you're going to do it.

 

[Paxon]

I feel the opposite, I think the deterioration in national pride is a travesty. Go to an event in another country whether it's sporting, a movie etc and in most the national anthem is played

I don't really understand what you're saying because they do the anthem before most sporting events in the U.S.

 

[Buffaloed]

Did he do that dopey pandering point at the end? Happy birthday to *you* works, heck, it is probably what started that whole thing.

I won't miss the guy. Have the organ lead the crowd or bring in a high school kid to do it each week and make it about the song again, if you're going to do it.

Gimme Norm Wullun and Joe Byron

 

[MarkusKetterer]

My hot take is this is a good time to just stop doing anthems because it is a silly concept for a non-international sporting event.

I find anthems stupid. The only time they should be played is between national teams. They don’t do this in like, the Champions League.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

I feel the opposite, I think the deterioration in national pride is a travesty. Go to an event in another country whether it's sporting, a movie etc and in most the national anthem is played

That’s just stupid. One doesn’t have to stop what they’re doing to join in a communal “yay our country!!” to be proud of their country.

 

[buffalowing88]

At least this guy isn't doing a "woe is me" spiel. If you're not going to get the vaxx that's your prerogative I suppose.

And I'm with the sentiment that we could do without the anthem in general. I think there's something to be said for civic pride but 90 percent of these players aren't Americans so it just seems kind of...lame? IDK, I get chills for the Canadian anthem because it means a lot to the majority of those guys but ours is not really connecting with many people.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

I don't really understand what you're saying because they do the anthem before most sporting events in the U.S.

I'm saying I like the anthem and anecdotally that in a large number of countries it's even done before the movie begins in a cinema

 

[HaNotsri]

I always enjoy the swedish anthem before the games. Especially if the whole audience sings. It's something special when 10 000+ people sing the last words "I want to die in the north."

To me the north american anthems are part of the hockey ritual. It makes the event a bit more formal as well and I think it's endearing when old vets, nurses or others get to perform.

That said I've liked Doug since he sings the anthem without any fuzz.

 

[oldgoalie]

Gimme Norm Wullun and Joe Byron

All day, everyday.

 

[SackTastic]

Always liked Doug, but the 'I have natural immunity so I'm fine" argument does not hold scientific merit.

I have no problem with people who decide they are smarter than medical professionals going away.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

I feel the opposite, I think the deterioration in national pride is a travesty. Go to an event in another country whether it's sporting, a movie etc and in most the national anthem is played

One of the things I've always admired most about the US is your guys' sense of national pride.

If it's deteriorating - that is indeed a travesty.

Here in England - it has been frowned upon for a long time. It's OK to be proud of being Scottish, Irish, or Welsh. But being proud of being English is a no-no. It has been beaten out of people to the point where very few give a shit anymore. I'd hate for that to happen to you guys.

Keep singing the anthem/s before games.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

One of the things I've always admired most about the US is your guys' sense of national pride.

If it's deteriorating - that is indeed a travesty.

Here in England - it has been frowned upon for a long time. It's OK to be proud of being Scottish, Irish, or Welsh. But being proud of being English is a no-no. It has been beaten out of people to the point where very few give a shit anymore. I'd hate for that to happen to you guys.

Keep singing the anthem/s before games.

My British friends are constantly complaining about that. My one friend that's stuck back in Cru is losing his mind over it

 

[SackTastic]

One of the things I've always admired most about the US is your guys' sense of national pride.

If it's deteriorating - that is indeed a travesty.

Here in England - it has been frowned upon for a long time. It's OK to be proud of being Scottish, Irish, or Welsh. But being proud of being English is a no-no. It has been beaten out of people to the point where very few give a shit anymore. I'd hate for that to happen to you guys.

Keep singing the anthem/s before games.

Not to go too far, but I disagree with ONG that there is a deterioration of national pride.

There are many in this country that have been questioning certain aspects of national pride have been used over the years, and they are immediately shouted down as 'unpatriotic'. ( Even though questioning and discourse IS patriotic. ) The 'kneeling during the anthems' nonsense is the prime example.

 

[Matt Ress]

I like Doug. Always thought it was cool that we do the American and Canadian anthems.
Also have no issue with his exit. That's his decision and he's stepping back as the repercussions of his decision. I don't think he's dumb because I'm not his doctor and I don't know his body the way either do. I'll miss ya, Dougie.

 

[old kummelweck]

My hot take is this is a good time to just stop doing anthems because it is a silly concept for a non-international sporting event.

Have you been watching what has been going on in the US? Good luck with this idea. No one is going to touch it. Just easier to keep singing...

 

[MayDay]

Not to go too far, but I disagree with ONG that there is a deterioration of national pride.

There are many in this country that have been questioning certain aspects of national pride have been used over the years, and they are immediately shouted down as 'unpatriotic'. ( Even though questioning and discourse IS patriotic. ) The 'kneeling during the anthems' nonsense is the prime example.

IMO, too many people confuse nationalism with patriotism. Patriotism is good, but nationalism is not.

Many of the big nationalist displays associated with North American pro sports (giant field-sized flags, Air Force flyovers) have little or nothing to do with patriotism, in my opinion.

 

[OkimLom]

One of the things I've always admired most about the US is your guys' sense of national pride.

If it's deteriorating - that is indeed a travesty.

Here in England - it has been frowned upon for a long time. It's OK to be proud of being Scottish, Irish, or Welsh. But being proud of being English is a no-no. It has been beaten out of people to the point where very few give a shit anymore. I'd hate for that to happen to you guys.

Keep singing the anthem/s before games.

F*** that, that’s not patriotism, that’s being indoctrinated in that American Nationalism.

“…Well I'll support the troops by asking what they're really fighting for
And I think that's more patriotic than flying a flag from my front porch.”

There’s nothing patriotic in America anymore, because at the time that citizens and others need help, we decide to make it political and therefore more divisive.