College football teams across the country unveiled tributes — from halftime shows to special uniforms — on Saturday in honor of the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
The big picture: Some schools honored alumni and veterans on their uniforms, others put together tributes to remember those who died. Nearly all held a moment of silence before kickoff.
Driving the news: The Army Football team stormed into the stadium, each player carrying an American flag to honor the servicemen and women who died in the 9/11 attacks.
Here come the Black Knights‼️#GoArmy | #LastoftheHard pic.twitter.com/ETMGx9rsue
— Army Football (@ArmyWP_Football) September 11, 2021
- Army head coach Jeff Monken said that on the anniversary the team was focusing on the veterans and first responders who ran toward the attack to help others.
- "When people were running from the tragedy, they were running towards it. We got a whole team of guys and corps of cadets that have the spirit to serve and it's what they do," Monken said.
Boston College on Friday unveiled special edition red bandana uniforms in honor of Welles Crowther, an alum who died 20 years ago while rescuing people in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
- Crowther saved 18 people from the tower using a red bandana to cover people's mouths and nose from the smoke and debris.
Locker room views 👀 pic.twitter.com/LaMW8siCC6
— BC Football (@BCFootball) September 11, 2021
Thirty-seven Rutgers alumni died in the attack, and the Scarlet Knights memorialized all of them on Saturday's football helmets.
#NeverForget pic.twitter.com/m23nscVx3y
— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) September 9, 2021
- Players also had 'Never Forget' emblazoned on their gloves, helmets and the sides of their jerseys.
Fans and players at Ohio State's stadium held a moment of silence for the nearly 3,000 lives lost 20 years ago, and a B2 bomber flew over the stadium — prompting "U-S-A" chants to echo through the stadium.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/PTATeFSGxs
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 11, 2021
Notre Dame football players did 20 push-ups to mark the event's anniversary.
In remembrance of the 20th anniversary of September 11th, our team honors the members of the Notre Dame family and Americans across the country who were affected by the events of that tragic day. By doing 20 push-ups we hope to show our support and solidarity. #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/qKC5Jz5kdb
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) September 11, 2021
Nebraska linebacker Damian Jackson led the team into the stadium with first responders at his side.
You knew the Tunnel Walk would be special today.
— Nebraska On BTN (@NebraskaOnBTN) September 11, 2021
It was.
Watch @Djackson_38 lead @HuskerFBNation out on the field ⤵️. pic.twitter.com/0LT8pWPV99
- Jackson spent six years in the Navy and four as a Navy SEAL.
Penn State is hosting the Dwyer family as honorary captains for the Nittany Lions' game against the Ball State Cardinals.
- Patrick Dwyer was planning to take his six year-old-son Brendan to his first Penn State game before being killed in the attacks.
On the 20th anniversary of the tragic attacks against the U.S., we recognize the lasting impact of Sept. 11, 2001 on thousands of families, including one of our own.
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) September 11, 2021
The Story: https://t.co/iztvbimcjO pic.twitter.com/5WVEN0qLKX
The University of Oklahoma recognized emergency services personnel, frontline workers and members of the military at its game against Western Carolina University.
Reminder to stripe the stadium to help commemorate the anniversary of 9/11.
— Oklahoma Sooners (@OU_Athletics) September 8, 2021
We have a number of special events planned to thank and recognize emergency services personnel, frontline workers and military members throughout the day as well. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/p6AkurknEd #SoonerSalute https://t.co/lfkMEimIAD pic.twitter.com/FkR3X32qwc
Lamar University added an American flag LU logo to their helmets in remembrance of 9/11.
Tomorrow we honor of 9/11 check out our new helmet decals.#NeverForget911 #WeAreLU pic.twitter.com/6FmICZNArT
— Lamar University Football (@LamarFootball) September 10, 2021
Texas State University added details to its helmets to commemorate the lives lost on 9/11. The helmet stripe has the name of 19 people who were either residents of Texas or born in Texas.
20 years ago our nation faced one of the toughest times it’s ever seen. This weekend when @TXSTATEFOOTBALL takes the field, we will honor those who lost their lives in the attack of Sept 11, 2001. #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/vfIi6VLNzs
— TXSTATE Equipment (@TXST_FootballEQ) September 9, 2021
Brigham Young University wore royal blue uniforms with a pentagon-shaped sticker on the back of their helmet that reads "9/11 NEVER FORGET."
“9/11 NEVER FORGET” pic.twitter.com/48A5m0Pc26
— Billy Nixon (@byuequipment) September 6, 2021
The University of Florida unveiled a new helmet for its matchup against the University of South Florida that features "Gators" written in red, white and blue script text.
Threads for Game 2. #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/JHqs0xVctJ
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 9, 2021
