May 2, 2011
Photos from post 9/11 game
There are certain moments in a lifetime that Americans will never forget. Hearing the news of Osama bin Laden’s death was one of those moments that will stay with Americans for the rest of their lives. It’s been nearly 10 years since the horrific attacks of 9/11, which forever altered the way Americans live.
The events of 9/11 impacted most everything in the days, weeks and years that followed, including the sports world as we know it today.
After the attacks, virtually every sporting event and league came to a halt, suspending competition until at least Sept. 17. NFL games were postponed, Major League Baseball games were postponed as were college football games. The games that were missed were made up at the end of the season.
At Vanderbilt, its road football game scheduled for Sept. 15 at Ole Miss was postponed and rescheduled for Dec. 1. It was not until the following Saturday, Sept. 22, 2001 that Vanderbilt returned to the field when it faced Richmond in a game filled with many emotions.
The Commodores won the game 28-22 in front of a crowd that came to Vanderbilt Stadium during a time of uncertainty. Before the game, Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell spoke to the crowd and a large U.S. flag was unveiled on the field. Those in attendance also experienced the added security that has since been a staple at sporting events. They also witnessed the patriotism that filled stadiums across the country in the coming months.
Every Major League Baseball game the rest of the 2001 season featured “God Bless America” in the seventh inning, a tradition that has remained in some venues, including Yankee Stadium. Professional and college teams also began wearing American Flags on their uniforms, hats and helmets.
During the time of grief, the sports world played a role in the healing process. In the weeks following the attacks, Americans put their differences aside and joined together as one nation. No moment in sports during that time was more memorable than when former President George W. Bush tossed out the first pitch of the 2001 World Series at Yankee Stadium.
On Sunday the news of bin Laden’s death spread quickly through the night. At a baseball game in Philadelphia between the Phillies and Mets, the news of bin Laden’s demise inspired chants of “USA, USA” which was captured during ESPN’s broadcast. View the video here.
There were many lasting images from Vanderbilt’s game against Richmond in 2001. Here are just a few of them.
