By Ray Brewer (contact)

Wed, Oct 29, 2008 (midnight)

The national anthem is played before all high school football games in Southern Nevada. It’s the right way to start the celebration of this weekly American Friday night tradition.

Unfortunately, too many fans and athletes are disrespectful during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The home team’s band usually performs the anthem, but on most nights it’s virtually impossible to hear the beautiful lyrics.

Rather, the socializing that makes Friday night football such a community event, drowns out the band or singer. I’ve covered games in various parts of the Las Vegas Valley this fall and witnessed the same everywhere.

This needs to stop, and it starts with you.

There is only one thing you should be doing during the anthem, and that’s standing with your right hand over your heart in silence.

Coaches should remind their players of the sacrifices made by others to keep this country free and make sure lining their team up for the anthem is a top priority. Most teams stop their warm-ups and stand on the goal line.

It’s only two minutes, but in many ways it’s the most important two minutes of the night.

Remembering boxing’s Doc Broadus

Boxing trainer Charles “Doc” Broadus could always put a smile on your face.

On this sweltering hot Southern Nevada summer afternoon, I was the one who couldn’t stop laughing after visiting with the man several considered a legend.

Standing near the ring at a local gym, Broadus answered my question with a question — “Do you think I could last a round?,” he jokingly said. Well, at least I think he was joking.

The Hall of Fame trainer and longtime Las Vegas resident passed away Oct. 14. He was 88.

The former Summerlin resident trained George Foreman to Olympic gold in 1968 and worked with the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar De La Hoya. Three years prior, during our only meeting, Broadus was full of one-liners and other humorous stories about the sport he dedicated his life to. He was 85 years of age at the time and full of energy.

Now that I think of it, he probably couldn’t have given an opponent fits in the ring.

Sports Editor Ray Brewer can be reached at ray.brewer@hbcpub.com or 990-2662.