Sports

‘U-S-A, U-S-A’: 9/11 Remembered at Sporting Events Across the Country and World

NFL, MLB and Other Sports Remember 9/11

From coast to coast, American flags as large as football fields were unfurled inside stadiums and fans of all ages sang the National Anthem with gusto Sunday in a red white-and-blue observance marking the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and start of the country’s most popular sport: the NFL.

In presentations relayed to video screens around the league, “Taps” was played from Shanksville, Pa. (where one of the hijacked jets crashed a decade earlier), Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and Hoboken, N.J., across the Hudson River from the World Trade Center site. A recorded message from actor Robert DeNiro was broadcast on video boards reminding fans that “we honor those brave men and women by continuing to show our unity and strength as a country.”

The ceremonies coincided with the regular season return of the NFL following a summer of labor strife that threatened to stop play for the first time since 1987. The league planned to auction game-used items and donate $1 million to three memorials and two charities related to the attacks. The balls used for the kickoff of each half were inscribed with special 9-11 logos.

NFL, MLB and Other Sports Remember 9/11

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell marked the day in Landover and East Rutherford, N.J.

“We remember our great country and the people that died in this tragic incident, the first responders and their families and all the people that kept our country safe,” he told FOX from the sidelines of the Giants-Redskins game. “This is a chance for everyone to come together and feel great about our country, the sacrifices so many people have had and what we all have in front of us. We’ve got a lot to be proud of.”

Reminders of the changes wrought by that sorrowful day were apparent outside MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, where every car entering the parking lots for the Cowboys-Jets game was checked by New Jersey State Troopers with bomb-sniffing dogs.

“It shows they’re not taking any of this lightly,” said Lee Loughridge from Mount Arlington, N.J. “I‘m glad they’re doing it. This is serious. We knew there would be delays, so we just came early and didn’t have to worry.”

Jets players wore navy blue T-shirts during warmups with the words “Never Forgotten” on the back.

“Actually, I would‘ve felt uncomfortable if I hadn’t seen all the security here today,” said Lamar Williams, from Paterson, N.J.

NFL, MLB and Other Sports Remember 9/11

Former President George W. Bush praised the rescue workers of that day in a televised pregame show segment prior to the openers, then did coin-toss honors at Cowboys-Jets, the lone night NFL game. Yet another field-long flag was pulled across the turf as hundreds of hands reached out to touch it, including coaches and players. The skirl of bagpipes filled the air with “Amazing Grace,” which, at times, was drowned out by fans’ cheers of “U-S-A.”

Incredible footage up on YouTube of fans in Cleveland chanting “U-S-A:”

At the U.S. Open‘s women’s final at Arthur Ashe Stadium, a “9/11/01″ logo was painted next to the blue court, and Queen Latifah and the Jubilation Choir performed a soulful rendition of the anthem. The Marine Corps color guard unfurled a court-sized flag.

NFL, MLB and Other Sports Remember 9/11

Pregame ceremonies were followed by moments of silence at Major League Baseball parks. There was a candlelight ceremony under dimmed lights at New York’s Citi Field, but MLB denied a request by the Mets to wear caps honoring the NYPD and FDNY.

Mets players briefly considered defying MLB, then acquiesced.

“What are they going to do, fine us?” catcher Josh Thole said.

Joe Torre, MLB’s executive vice president for baseball operations, told The Associated Press the decision was made to keep policy consistent throughout baseball and that “certainly, it’s not a lack of respect.”

At the Nationals game in Washington, two red, white and blue logos were painted on the field in foul territory along the base lines, with the date “September 11, 2001″ and the words: “We shall not forget.” The Nationals also wore blue jerseys with a stars-and-stripes background for the team‘s ’W’ logo.

In Anaheim, Calif., Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees caught ceremonial first pitches from two first responders and a survivor of the attacks.

“I wish we were at home with the people of New York,” Posada said.

Former Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani told MLB.com on how baseball united New Yorkers and the nation during this time ten years ago:

In Tampa, Fla., the Buccaneers arranged a surprise reunion during the first half two-minute warning for family and close friends of Army Sgt. Scott Osborn, who was returning from active duty in Afghanistan. At sun-splashed Soldier Field in Chicago, fans applauded the national anthem from start to finish – a tradition at NHL Blackhawks games – while tenor Jim Cornelison sang an unusually spirited anthem before the Bears hosted the Atlanta Falcons.

Carolina’s Steve Smith wore red-white-and-blue gloves and cleats for his team’s game at Arizona, catching two touchdown passes in a 28-21 victory. At Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs and Buffalo Bills helped 150 firefighters and first-responders to hold up an American flag that stretched from end zone to end zone and sideline to sideline. In Baltimore, fans at the Ravens-Steelers game were given miniature American flags, the band spelled out “U-S-A” and military personnel and first-responders helped move the flag from one sideline to the other.

At Jacksonville, two Jaguars players with military backgrounds carried U.S. flags. Cornerback Will Middleton, whose brother is in the Navy, and fullback Brock Bolen, whose father was awarded three Purple Hearts, led the team out of the tunnel.

In England, there was a moment’s silence before both Premier League games. Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey, who is from Texas, and his teammates lined up with arms around each other’s shoulders before their match. In New Zealand, the U.S. Eagles rugby team attended a memorial service at a local church in New Plymouth.

“Taps” also was played before the racing program at New York’s Belmont Park.

Before the opening kickoffs, Bush appeared in a 90-second opening sequence of “Fox NFL Sunday” titled, “The Journey.”

“What is a hero?” Bush asked. “In the midst of great danger … nobody asks to be a hero. … We started to heal with the help of our national pastimes, with the flip of the coin and the roar of the crowd.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Comments (28)

  • mauijonny
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 11:02pm

    It was just so nice to see American patriotism again.

    Report Post » mauijonny  
  • MrsMB2008
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 12:53pm

    As much as some people in our country want us to forget, WE WILL NEVER FORGET. When you tell Americans not to have pride in this country, it only makes us more proud of America. Also, we will be sure that the true story is told of the 9/11 attacks on this country, not some PC version.

    Report Post »  
  • libertarian8586
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 11:44am

    “Carolina’s Steve Smith wore red-white-and-blue gloves and cleats for his team’s game at Arizona, catching two touchdown passes in a 28-21 victory.”

    Carolina lost that game…..

    Report Post »  
  • sallyredneck
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 9:23am

    The more the the gov. wants the US citizens to forget the rebel in all comes to a head. Commonsense is America.

    Report Post »  
  • wewantchillywilly
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 8:44am

    chicago’s national anthem was epic: that guy was incredible.

    the vikings charger game had an eagle which was cool, but the singer was dreadful. seriously, she was the worst national anthem singer i’d ever heard in my life.

    Report Post »  
  • JustJP
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 7:42am

    YouTube the opening ceremony of the San Diego/Minnesota game. They had a bald eagle soaring over the crowd during the National Anthem. Absolutely AWESOME

    Report Post »  
  • curmudgeon60
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 7:42am

    The Chicago Bears borrowed Jim Cornelison to sing the National Anthem–His version of the song(loud and straight on) brings you to tears of pride!! The cheering was thunderous!! His singing was even louder! OUTSTANDING!! Stand UP Conservatives!! BE PROUD Put your hands over your heart–Say the Pledge!! AND PRAY FOR AMERICA!! MORE TEA PLEASE!!

    Report Post »  
    • jhaydeng
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 9:27am

      I don’t care what you think about professional sports, but you have to admit that American professional sports are the pinnacle of competition and that never quit mentality that sparks our individual fire of striving for success!

      Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 7:30am

    @82nd Airborne~~~ EVERY TIME! Thank you.

    Thank you, too, for your service, your sacrifice, our freedom.

    GOD BLESS YOU, SIR. In the name above all name, JESUS THE CHRIST, amen.

    Report Post »  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 6:54am

    We’ve got a mission in life
    to hold out our hand
    help the other guy out
    help your fellow man.

    This morning, as I was walking the dog at 5:00 in the morning, down my dark street,under a full moon,
    I heard someone singing “Amazing Grace”. It started out low and slow and built to a height on a footing with Heaven.
    It was us. It was we the people. And it ended with our hearts in the air.

    Report Post » Rayblue  
    • kickagrandma
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 7:20am

      How beautiful and sweet and filled with hope.
      GOD bless you.
      And, GOD BLESS AMERICA, again.

      Report Post »  
  • MAXIMUS_MARIUSZ
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 6:46am

    It was so awesome to hear chants of “USA, USA, USA” in our home stadium prior to the game. Now THAT, my friends, is what America and the Tea Party are all about. God Bless America and the departed souls of that heinous act on 9/11, especially all of the innocent children on those airplanes…that I will never forgive.

    Report Post »  
  • nuclearnavymom
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 6:33am

    Ok, crying now.

    Report Post » nuclearnavymom  
  • TEXASGRANNY73
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 4:41am

    Thank you NFL football fans and the Blaze. Never watch football but I sure know patriotism and
    we need more and more and more. Watched this clip several times yesterday just to hear my fellow
    Americans shouting. And didn’t the guy singing the anthem just knock it out of the ball park (yes
    I do know the difference–what it was was football).

    Report Post »  
  • AmeriCat
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 4:20am

    Wounded Warriors logo on the red FDNY shoe….

    God’s blessings..
    The ultimate ….
    laced with courage, incredible bravery, quick thinking, and excellent judgement,
    The men and women of our Armed Forces…Thank you.

    Report Post »  
  • Californiasodbuster
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 3:32am

    I have not watched nfl since they went on strike in the 80′s, never forget the players beating up the fans in the eagles parking lot as the fans were going in to watch the scab players, anybody else remember that?
    Screw these overpaid a-holes.

    Report Post »  
    • AmeriCat
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 4:27am

      Indeed, yes. Agree. Overpaid distractors.

      Didn’t others throughout history use sports
      as a distraction from power grabs and military coups?
      Sure glad history never repeats itself….

      Report Post »  
    • RRFlyer
      Posted on September 12, 2011 at 9:40am

      It’s kind of hard to remember something you just made up

      Report Post »  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 3:28am

    The last days of the Roman Empire was all about the games. Enjoy it while it lasts but remember it as well! When the younger folks get old enough to figure out what they lost, they will have no mercy on those people who will then be much older and who threw away their future for a fast high, a fast buck, a political correct response, an immoral stance (on everything), voting for idiots who destroyed their future. I will be able to say I did my best to turn it around, alert the folks and stood by Beck who was right on these matters that will affect us all.

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • CatB
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 3:14am

    I saw a banner hung at the Eiffel Tower in Paris … in rememberance of 9/11 … even the FRENCH! That was nice.

    Report Post »  
  • conservativewoman
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 2:59am

    It starts in the home. Parents (especially fathers) must teach their children respect, discipline, compassion, and generosity. Setting an example by being neighborly, volunteering, respecting others and yourself.

    Even parents who are not living with their children can do these things. If you do not want the State telling you how to raise your children, then take care of them yourself.

    Personal responsibility!

    Report Post » conservativewoman  
  • thepatriotdave
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 2:21am

    It’s time that we stop alowing people to use our freedoms against us. Starting with the Constitution. There has to be a logical common-sense way we can prevent those with anti-American agendas from using our Constitution against us.
    One thing we could do right away that would slow them down a good bit and would not require any changes to our laws would be… It’s about time we told marxist/progressive/liberals to sit down and shut up! And no, I don’t care if they think their rights have been violated. If they are promoting anything that ‘goes against’ the well-being and the good of America, then it’s time that we as Americans start treating these dirt-bags as criminals.
    We should be especially hard on politicians… Any of them (politicians) that are trying to pass or promote anti-American BS should lose their rights for a period of time. They can get them back once they have decided to become productive members of our society and obey our laws.

    Report Post » thepatriotdave  
  • PA CONSERVATIVE
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 1:18am

    Unfortunately, until 9/11, due to country or family or education, there was an entire generation which had never felt patriotic. For many,I am sorry to say, this was the event that, for the first time, solidified the unity of Americanism in their hearts. For that oversight, we are all responsible. We need to teach our children, our neighbors, our new citizens, that America is not a mosaic but rather a “melting pot” . God bless America!

    Report Post »  
  • poverty.sucks
    Posted on September 12, 2011 at 12:48am

    Lesson Learned, letting foolish people in our society, we get in the way of their debris.

    Why should we let Islam bring us down inorder to feel patriotic?

    Report Post » poverty.sucks  

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