9/11 is a sobering day of remembrance for America. It’s been 25 years since terrorist attacks rocked our nation to its core. After two planes struck the World Trade Center in New York City, Americans were scared, confused, and desperately looking for healing. Sports became a key catalyst to that healing. It unified and inspired us in the aftermath and even now half a century later, sports teams and leagues are doing their part to honor the first responders, victims, and working to bring Americans together in remembrance of this tragedy.
FDNY firefighters and rescue workers attend to an injured firefighter in the rubble of the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York, after it was destroyed by planes in a terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. (Todd Maisel / New York Daily News via Getty Images) ( )
9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs
Many teams and universities across the country had 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs on Friday morning where they climbed the stairs of local stadiums, the equivalent of 110 stories of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers to honor the 343 firefighters and other first responders who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
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Smoke pours from the twin towers of the World Trade Center after they were hit by two hijacked airliners in a terrorist attack September 11, 2001 in New York City. (Robert Giroux/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 11: Firefighter Gerard McGibbon, of Engine 283 in Brownsville, Brooklyn, prays after the World Trade Center buildings collapsed September 11, 2001 after two hijacked airplanes slammed into the twin towers in a terrorist attack that killed some 3,000 people. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
The World Trade Center in New York City, shown after being attacked by hijacked planes on Sept. 11, 2001. (Newspix via Getty Images)
Former Mets pitcher Al Leiter tells his harrowing 9/11 story of a quiet trip turned tragedy
These are just a few of many universities and teams that have done their part to honor the victims. It’s a great way to remember what first responders went through to save fellow Americans. In a day and age where sports have been used as a divider, some leagues, players, and media members using their platforms to talk ill of our country, moments like this take us back to a time of when Americans rallied around eachother, while understanding that freedom isn’t free, it comes with a cost, and some paid the ultimate sacrifice to save others in the midst of reckless hate.
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God bless the first responders and those that participated across the country this morning in stair climbs.