On Friday, September 11, millions of people took a step back to reflect on the lives lost in the terrorist attacks on New York City 25 years earlier. Across the nation, various entertainers like Lainey Wilson and Cyndi Lauper paid tribute to the first responders and families most directly affected on that dark day. Today (Sunday, September 13) New York first responders came together ahead of the Giants’ home matchup against the Cowboys for a multi-faceted ceremony honoring the victims of 9/11, including a special national anthem performance.
NY First Responders Unite For Heartfelt National Anthem Performance
Before the Giants square off against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium at 8:20 p.m. Eastern, members of the New York Police Department, New York Fire Department, and Port Authority Police Department took the field in remembrance of the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11, 2001.
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"It's a story of heroes" -Coach Harbaugh on honoring 9/11 pic.twitter.com/y1Zgg0luIP
— New York Giants (@Giants) September 11, 2026
In a pregame ceremony highlight, members of the NYPD and NYFD joined forces for a special performance of the national anthem, concluding with a flyover by New Jersey State Police helicopters.
Other Memorial Activities Planned
The national anthem performance isn’t the only thing the NFL had planned to honor the strength and resilience of the New York City community in the aftermath of 9/11.
Additionally, Ladder 343 — a ceremonial FDNY firetruck named to honor the 343 members of thefire department who lost their lives — welcomed fans to MetLife Stadium ahead of the game.
Meanwhile, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation concluded their Steel Across America tour at the stadium, displaying an authentic steel beam from the World Trade Center
Close to the 8:20 p.m. kickoff time, New York City first responders formed a gauntlet for the team to run through during pregame introductions.
The ceremony also include a moment of silence backed by a photo montage, provided by season ticket members, of lives lost on 9/11 displayed on the video boards.
[RELATED: Alan Jackson Honors the Memory of 9/11 With New Live Version of “Where Were You”]
A “Tribute in Light” — two vertical columns of light — lit up in remembrance of the fallen towers of the World Trade Center.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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