The 13th anniversary of 9/11 and the NFL

Former Patriot guard Joe Andruzzi (second from left), his three New York City firefighter brothers, and his father, a former New York City police officer, were honored before the Patriots-Giants game Sept. 1, 2011 at Gillette. AP Photo/Stephan Savoia

On a sunny autumn day the New York skyline was filled with fire and smoke. A similar view was seen in Arlington on the Potomac and in a field in Pennsylvania there was plane wreckage that scarred the earth. Today we recall these images but more importantly we remember the lives of those lost to the cowardly acts of extremists. We remember the first responders who ran into the towers without hesitation as others fled the burning buildings. We remember the passengers of United Flight 93 who refused to go quietly into the night. We remember the mothers, fathers, and loved ones who left for work on that Tuesday morning and never made it home. The date of September 11th will cast a shadow for all time in American history.

On that fateful day, a few miles north of ground zero, then NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue was on the phone with then executive director of the NFL Player Association Gene Upshaw. They exchanged questions and answers about whether either of them had friends or family who may have been in danger from the attacks. Later that day they had to have the difficult discussion of whether or not to have the upcoming games be played. After some long discussions Tagiliabue announced on September 13 that no NFL games would play that weekend. According to Tabliabue:

"There was some feeling that carrying on was what was called for.... But in my mind you couldn't continue with business as usual, because this was not business as usual. This was a cosmic, unprecedented event, and playing football games that weekend was not appropriate."

It was a bold move that costs NFL owners millions of dollars. Keep in mind, NFL games were still played several days after the Kennedy assassination. However very few, if any, people today would argue that games should have been held. Not only would have it been in poor taste, it was a time that people in general didn't feel safe. After seeing so many people perish in large buildings who would want to be crammed into a large stadium that may be a giant target for America's enemies?

Many players made it very clear that they were not going to play that weekend, no matter what the commissioner decided. One the more prominent players to speak out against playing was native New Yorker Vinny Testaverde. Shortly after the attacks a vote was held amongst the Jets players on whether or not to play in Oakland, according to Center Kevin Mawae:

We had a team meeting that day and Vinny came in the room and said no matter what...if the team decided to play in Oakland, he wasn't going to play, that we would be making that trip without him. Every man had a ballot. We took a vote and it was unanimous... We told Herm (Edwards) that he could call the commissioner, and regardless of what his decision was, the New York Jets weren't going to play football that week. We'd be more willing to give up a forfeit.

Tonight's game of the Steelers playing the Ravens should be a time of reflection and a chance to enjoy the game of football. Unfortunately, the recent Ray Rice controversy will likely overshadow the ceremonies in respect to the 13th anniversary. Yes, Goodell's job, and credibility in general, is in jeopardy. Yes, it is likely that the Raven's organization was soft handed in their investigation and punishment of Ray Rice. But we will have plenty of time to watch the 24 hour news coverage of the Ray Rice investigation. Tonight, we should take a few minutes tonight to reflect on one of the most historically tragic events in U.S history and then enjoy the game we all love so much.

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