This Sunday — the 10th anniversary of the Sept.?11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon — there will be numerous ceremonies around the nation to commemorate the day that still shakes this country to its core. FedEx Field, where the Washington Redskins open the NFL season against the New York Giants, will be one of those places where people gather to share in the pain and the resolve of America — just as they did in the days following the tragedy.
Sports has always played an important role in the country’s morale during trying times. One of the most memorable images of the recovery from 9/11 is President George Bush throwing out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium during the World Series after baseball resumed.
Both the Giants and the Redskins were part of that healing process as well, with ceremonies and donations to honor victims and raise money. But beyond that, crowds gathered as a nation in stadiums and ballparks all over the country for the first time to reassure each other, as much as cheer for teams.
On the 10th anniversary, those ceremonies of honor will take place again.
Among the events at FedEx Field, General Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State, will serve as the Redskins’ honorary captain for the pregame coin toss.
Also, 150 family members affected by the attacks on the Pentagon, as well as first responders from Arlington County, will be honored before the game, standing with players from both teams holding the American flag that covers the field during the national anthem.
But we have reminders at nearly all sporting events — the tributes to wounded warriors, for example — that everything changed that day. What was important to us when we woke up that morning of Sept. 11, 2001, wasn’t as important anymore.
If you were a Washington sports fans, there was a lot that was important to you when your newspaper hit the driveway early that morning 10 years ago.
It seemed like Washington was on the verge of a remarkable year of sports. Michael Jordan was close to making a comeback as a player for the Wizards. Jaromir Jagr was about to practice for the first time with his Capitals teammates after the trade from Pittsburgh. And Jeff George was going to be the starting quarterback for new coach Marty Schottenheimer when the Redskins opened the season.
It was an exciting moment that turned into a frightening time.
As things turned out, none of those developments on the Washington sports scene met expectations. Jordan’s two years as a player with Washington was a disappointment. Jagr’s time in Washington was a disaster. And George was benched after a few games in favor of Tony Banks, and then was gone by the end of the season.
The excitement was fleeting. The fear, though, remains, as does the country’s resolve as fans pack ballparks and stadiums across the country Sunday.
Examiner columnist Thom Loverro is the co-host of “The Sports Fix” from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on ESPN980 and espn980.com. Contact him at [email protected].
