The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys will honor the victims and heroes of September 11, 2001, with a comprehensive pregame tribute at MetLife Stadium. The ceremony will feature members of the NYPD, FDNY, and PAPD, alongside families of 9/11 victims, as part of a weekend-long commemoration.
First responders from New York City will form a gauntlet for players and coaches to run through during pregame introductions. The tributes will also include a photo montage of 9/11 victims displayed on the stadium's video boards and a "Tribute in Light," a visual remembrance of the World Trade Center towers.
A joint honor guard from the NYPD, FDNY, and PAPD will participate, with members of these departments performing the national anthem. The New Jersey State Police will conduct a helicopter flyover following the anthem. Both teams and coaches will help unfurl a 100-yard American flag across the field.
The Palumbo family, who lost their firefighter father on 9/11, will serve as honorary captains for the coin toss. Their involvement is recognized in connection with the late former Giants head coach Jim Fassel's support for families affected by the attacks.
Players and coaches will wear commemorative NYPD, FDNY, and PAPD apparel and "Never Forget" T-shirts during warmups. A limited number of hats will be available for purchase on game day, with proceeds benefiting the respective first-responder agencies. A ceremonial FDNY fire truck, Ladder 343, named in honor of the 343 FDNY members who died on 9/11, will be present. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation will also display a steel beam from the World Trade Center outside the stadium gates as part of its "Steel Across America" tour.
Jesse Armstead, Tiki Barber, Kerry Collins, and Jason Sehorn, all members of the 2001 Giants team, will join uniformed first responders for a "Go Big Blue" chant before kickoff. The team is preparing for this game with all 52 active players listed as full practice participants, though coach John Harbaugh noted Andrew Thomas is on the injury list with a knee issue. The team currently has an open roster spot, which Harbaugh indicated would be filled when in the best interest of the team.