In times like this, people start to debate about the importance of sports in society. Clearly, sport is not the life and death situation that we sometimes act like it is. However, I think Yankees fans can attest to the healing power of following that team after the 9/11 attacks. Following the Yanks didn't diminish the horror of the WTC attacks but it did allow a city a distraction as it rebuilt. Hopefully Londoners can find such a distraction in its teams.

Alex - thank you for a heartfelt column and I hope your cousin is ok.