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.
Videos by American Songwriter
"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)
More Latest Music News & Stories
-
Noel Gallagher et Liam Gallagher à la première mondiale du film Oasis : Don't Look Back in Anger au 83e Festival international du film de Venise, le 5 septembre 2026. (Photo by Laurent KOFFEL/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 08: A view of atmosphere is seen during the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Peacock Theater on November 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/WireImage) -
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — Episode 1909 — Pictured: (l-r) Jeremy Culhane as Elon Musk, and anchor Colin Jost during Weekend Update on Saturday, November 7, 2026 — (Photo by: Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images) -
UNSPECIFIED – JANUARY 01: Photo of Gram PARSONS; In front of A&M Records Photo Studio in suit specially made for him by "Nudie, the rodeo tailor" (Photo by Jim McCrary/Redferns) -
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 23: Singer Taylor Swift performs onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 23, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage) -
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 18: Singer/Songwriter Ricky Skaggs, Singer/Songwriter Emmylou Harris and Singer/Songwriter Brian Ahern along with Ricky's band Kentucky Thunder perform at CMA Theater on November 18, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Skaggs was recently announced as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's 2013 Artist-in-Residence. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) -
CHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER — 2023 — Pictured: Kelly Clarkson — (Photo by: Scott Gries/NBC via Getty Images) -
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 15: Rodney Atkins performs onstage during ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends at Topgolf Las Vegas on May 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)