Twenty-five years after the September 11th attacks, former NFL player and "Good Morning America" co-anchor Michael Strahan recalled the days following the tragedy, remembering the collective desire of athletes to offer support.
"What were we gonna do? Sit at home? No, we wanted to collectively get together and offer whatever kind of assistance that we could at Ground Zero," Strahan said in the ABC News special, "9/11: United We Stand -- 25 Years Later." "That's the biggest show that we wanted to give them, was a show of respect."
Strahan, who was drafted by the New York Giants, spent 15 seasons with the team and developed a strong connection to the city. Following the attacks, he was among the athletes who advocated for the cancellation of that weekend's football games to honor the victims. He also participated in an NFL-wide initiative for disaster relief.
The sports world leveraged its platform to foster unity in the aftermath of 9/11. The New York Yankees' journey to the World Series in the fall of 2001, though ending in a loss, is remembered by many as a unifying force for New Yorkers. "It became more than just playing baseball," said Derek Jeter, the Yankees' shortstop at the time. "Our job was to bring joy, especially to New York at that time."
Selena Roberts, a former sports columnist for The New York Times, noted that athletes and coaches understood their role in providing comfort. "After Sept. 11, players and coaches absolutely knew that they had a platform and a responsibility to be there for the public, and I think in so many ways, really did help heal people," she stated.
Music also played a significant role in the healing process. The Concert for New York City, held at Madison Square Garden in October 2001, was organized by Paul McCartney and featured performances by artists such as David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Jon Bon Jovi, and Billy Joel. The benefit aimed to honor and raise funds for 9/11 victims and first responders.
Jon Bon Jovi reflected on the resonance of his band's song "Livin' on a Prayer" during that period, highlighting the lyric "We got each other and that's a lot." He described it as a message of "simple unity and faith" in a time of helplessness.
Late-night television also contributed to calming public anxieties. David Letterman was the first late-night host to return to air following the attacks. On his first show back, Letterman emphasized the importance of courage, stating, "There's only one requirement of all of us, and that is to be courageous."
Author and music critic Anthony DeCurtis commented on the role of art in processing difficult times. He suggested that in moments of profound fear, people turn to artists for help in understanding and coming to terms with frightening experiences. "This is what we do, and what better time to do it than now?" he said.
Strahan concluded by observing that the era fostered a greater sense of compassion. "I'd never seen the level of unity that we had during that time," he said.