The American sports world sits idle this weekend. A deferential move directed at the heinous incidents of Tuesday. For some, the decision was an agonizing one. We will not bow to terrorists was part of their reasoning.

But as body counts mounted and the numbness created by the first day's events evolved into a painful, silent witness to the heroic efforts by emergency personnel in New York and Washington, the issue to play became moot.

Dutifully, sanctioning bodies tried to put a positive spin upon continuing scheduled events. NASCAR, the racing industry's leader, elected to continue with their plans for both a Winston Cup race in New Hampshire and a Truck race in Texas. The Indy Racing League fell into step with NASCAR. Weekly operated tracks across America followed suit.

"This is one of those decisions where there really is no right or wrong, and one of those that NASCAR and our sport aren't going to win. But nobody in the country is winning right now," said Kyle Petty when NASCAR announced its decision to proceed.

"We'll go up there (to New Hampshire) and we'll do whatever we need to do, and we'll do the best we can. It's not going to be a real pleasant weekend, but it's not going to be too pleasant for anybody anywhere in this country doing anything else either."

"President George W. Bush has kept the offices of government open and has pledged that 'The American economy will be open for business,'" remarked IRL founder Tony George. "In this spirit, we are moving forward."

There were dissenters. Greg Ray, a former IRL champion, questioned the decision. "In light of what happened Tuesday, it is a question whether we should or shouldn't race," Ray said. "If they choose not to race, I'm OK with that because I understand."

Then the Mighty NFL spoke.

After more than 24 hours of conference calls and deliberations, America's acknowledged sports leader announced the postponement of Week 2 of its newly opened season. "We in the National Football League have decided that our priorities for this weekend are to pause, grieve, and reflect. It is a time to tend to families and neighbors and all those wounded by these horrific acts of terrorism," said NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

Bud Selig of Major League Baseball delayed the resumption of our American pastime until Monday. One by one, every major sporting event scheduled for this weekend ended up canceled. Golf, soccer, and most of college football.

Stubbornly, NASCAR, the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12 held on. Then it happened. That's when the dominoes started to fall. Within 60 minutes, the remainder of this nation's sports world fell into step and called off their events for this weekend.

"Due to the postponement and cancellation of other events around the country, we have decided that it would be best to delay our race in Texas," said IRL Operations Vice President Brian Barnhart. "We have consulted closely with Texas Motor Speedway and NASCAR officials over this decision."

Drivers and team owners applauded the decision. Finally, albeit later than many had hoped for, everyone agreed that this weekend should be reserved for prayer and family.

It is the only right decision under the present circumstances. But why did it take so long for some to arrive at it?

Those who I spoke with continued to cite the president's desire to see the country return to business as usual. I argued with my own family over their decision to operate our weekly track Friday night.

"We can't let the terrorists win," my father and brother argued. "To not run would be admitting that they defeated us." I lost my battle with my own family. "The president told us that it is time to go to work." I said, "He didn't say anything about going back to play."

Sports polls put me in the minority. Of the more than a quarter-million respondents to an ESPN.com poll, most said that they felt the NFL should hold its weekend schedule of games.

Talk radio and Internet message boards show a country divided upon the decision to shutter sports this weekend. But I am in agreement with home run king Mark McGwire, who ripped the sporting world for its uncertainty.

"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out sporting events are absolutely meaningless compared with what's going on in Washington and New York," McGwire said.

"For people to think it's OK to play sports this weekend is absolutely asinine," McGwire said. "This is the worst thing that can ever happen to the country and people are worried about making decisions on playing sporting events.

"I have no idea where their minds are, but I guarantee you if they knew somebody or had a family member in Washington or New York, they wouldn't even think about it."

I have become a huge fan of Mark McGwire. Not because he hits home runs or plays baseball. But because he gets it.