The Chicago Dragons, a relatively new team in 2004, were playing that year in the inaugural Bingham Cup, named in honor of the late Mark Bingham, and the Dragons were paired with the Atlanta Bucks. Held in London, the Bingham Cup commemorated the life and (rugby) career of openly gay Bingham, who died during the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
The morning that the tournament started, organizers announced the teams and the players then ran down the sidelines and lined up along the back of the try zone.
"I remember looking out and seeing all these gay rugby players and saying to myself, 'I knew it—I wasn't alone,'" said Chicago resident Paul D. Cannella, emotional then as well as today, just reflecting on the moment.
"That experience, including playing with the Bucks and the bond we formed, was incredible. While we can bitter rivals when our clubs face each other, there was a bond that was formed between every player that weekend that exists today."
Cannella, 41, who lives in Lincoln Park and is a local entrepreneur, owning multiple businesses, started playing rugby in 1989 while attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater—and has played annually since. He is a founding member of the predominantly gay Dragons, and now plays flanker and scrum half.
Bingham, who lived in San Francisco and founded his own company, the Bingham Group, died in the terrorist attacks aboard United Airlines Flight 93, though he was among the passengers who attempted to storm the cockpit to try to prevent the terrorists' plans.
Bingham, survived by his boyfriend of six years, Paul Holm, played for the San Francisco Fog RFC, a rugby union team that also is predominantly gay.
The Bingham Cup is a biannual, gay international rugby union tournament, established in 2002.
"The Bingham Cup is an incredible experience," Cannella said. "I am so proud to be able to play in this tournament, and I hope players appreciate what a unique experience it is. I love pushing my body to the extremes, and I'm very proud of the fact that I've played in every minute of every match in 2004, 2006 and 2010.
"The only minutes I missed in 2008 were after I blew out my ACL [in my knee], but I still played portions of that tournament.
"The brotherhood, camaraderie, and passion felt in these tournaments is unmatched in day to day life and I eat that [stuff] up."
Cannella, who graduated from Wheeling High School in 1988, played in the 2006 Bingham Cup in New York City, Dublin in 2008 and Minneapolis in 2010.
He already has the 2012 Bingham Cup in Manchester, England, in his plans.
"When I first heard about the Dragons forming, I wanted to be a part of it so I could share the greatest sport on earth with other gay people," Cannella said. "Rugby has given me so much on and off the pitch that I feel bound to the sport and a duty to help others play it and learn from it.
"The Bingham Cup and rugby in general has allowed gay people to break down stereotypes. The relationships that we form with the other rugby clubs helps send a message that we are just like anyone else in society."
Cannella said the Bingham Cup is the pinnacle of his rugby career, and also a personal measuring-stick to assess his play every two years.
"At 41, I don't know how many more I can play in, but, if I think I can compete, help the team, and have fun, I'll probably keep playing. Especially if they're [held] in other countries," Cannella said. "For the Dragons, I'm very proud to travel with the club and to help spread the experience of this tournament. Booting up day after day, no matter how much pain you are in, or how tired you are, builds character. You can learn a lot about yourself during these tournaments, [such as] how far you can push yourself. Then the next time you're competing against someone for that promotion [at work], think about what you've been through."
Bingham has received numerous posthumously honors, including:
—The Arthur Ashe Courage Award in 2002.
—Melissa Etheridge dedicated the song 'Tuesday Morning' to his memory.
Mark Bingham is one of many heroes from 9/11," Cannella said. "Each person who lost their life helped save lives [too], and is a hero in my eyes. I am proud of them.
"I never knew Mark personally, but my guess is that he never would have thought his name, or what he did, would mean so much. His name will live on forever because this tournament and league is not going anywhere. Mark Bingham is a legend, and I think it is an honor to play in a tournament with his name on it. This tournament stands for so much more than a metal cup. It stands for equality, dignity, brotherhood, pride and more. While my goal is to win [the tournament], at the end of the day, I am so happy for the team that wins the tournament, and for any team that enjoys success within their own league."
