Washington Redskins and NFL Join America In Remembering 9/11 by Diane Chesebrough

The game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants will hopefully be a good one.  Without a doubt, the burgundy & gold are better than they were last year and with the quarterback situation having finally been sorted out by head coach Mike Shanahan naming Rex Grossman as the starter, focus turns now to the weekend.

It’s appropriate that Washington plays New York this Sunday, September 11th and the team will join America in remembering the tragic events that occurred on that date in 2001 during the game. In fact, all of the NFL games on Sunday (1:00, 4:15 and Sunday Night Football) will feature a special video introduction followed by performances of “Taps” from near the sites of the 9/11 attacks, and moments of silence. For the 1:00 games, “Taps” will be performed in Shanksville, Pa. while the 4:15 games will feature a rendition from Arlington National Cemetery here in Arlington, Va.

There are other things planned for the tribute here in Washington as well.  Not only will the video message be played, General Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State, will serve as the Redskins’ honorary captain for the pregame coin toss.

I am sure that I am not the only person thinking about 9/11 this week.  Besides the fact that it was a day that would be impossible to ever forget, there has been much television coverage in the form of documentaries (The Learning Channel [TLC] is running shows sporadically throughout the week as well as National Geographic Channel) and lots of discussion on the news.  Tributes and ceremonies will take place all over the country. Reading about the coming events, watching the shows and seeing news/video clips brings memories of that day rushing back – to me anyway.

This is how it should be. That day must never be forgotten.  Thousands of people died in unspeakable horror and the actions of the maniacs that killed them changed America forever. It changed me. I lost a friend in the World Trade Center and have friends that could have died at the Pentagon.

I attended the first Redskins game played at home after the 9/11 attacks (September 30th) and remember vividly something that happened at FedexField that day.  I was outside the stadium in line with a friend, slowly working our way up to the entrance.  If you recall, planes were grounded in the United States for some time after the attacks (my husband was stuck in Arizona for a week) and I don’t think any of us expected what happened next.

The sound of an airplane pierced the sounds of people chatting and Skins fans razzing Kansas City Chiefs fans. The second that sound entered people’s psyches – and it was pretty much all at the same time where we were standing – it was instantly silent.  You could hear a pin drop.  As a group, we looked up; some with mere interest but most with noticeable uncertainty, even to the point of fear.  That is, until we recognized the aircraft as a C-17 military cargo plane, most likely flying out of – or heading to – Andrews Air Force Base.

A sigh of relief echoed throughout the crowd and people visibly relaxed – although not totally. There was a unity in the stadium that day that was undeniable, as was the case throughout the league and America for months.

The following activities/events will also occur at FedEx on Sunday:

• Approximately 150 family members affected by the terrorist attack on the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., as well as first responders from Arlington County will be honored pregame. They will stand alongside players from both teams in holding the American flag that covers the entire playing surface during the signing of “The Star Spangled Banner.”
• A Firefighter display from the Famous Madame Tussaud’s wax museum will be on the plaza outside the stadium and will show the immense amount of bravery that took place during the attacks.
• Patriotic spirit and pride will spread throughout the stadium when all Redskins fans in attendance receive American flags as they enter FedExField.
• Players, coaches and sideline personnel will wear honorary NFL 9/11 ribbon as a patch or pin on their uniforms and sideline apparel.
• The Club Level at FedExField will host an exhibit on loan from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in Canton, Ohio, highlighting the Redskins’ and NFL’s continuing involvement and commitment with the United States Armed Forces.
• Following a moment of silence and remembrance, platinum recording artist Ne-Yo will perform the national anthem.
• The NFL and NFL Players Association will contribute $1 million to three memorials and two charities related to the Sept. 11, 2001 events.
• The NFL and NFLPA will contribute $500,000 to the 9/11 Museum & Memorial in Lower Manhattan, and $250,000 to be divided between the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa. and the Pentagon Memorial Fund.

Hopefully, a lot of Americans will watch the pregame tributes in the spirit in which they are intended and remember the heroes and victims of that day.

And afterwards, wouldn’t it be awesome if the Redskins beat the heck out of the Giants?

Hail.