The National Football League will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with a series of tributes across all 32 teams during Week 1 games. The league announced plans to stencil "Never Forget" in stadium end zones and utilize special tribute-branded coins for pregame coin tosses.
These special coins will be auctioned following the games, with proceeds benefiting the NFL's September 11 charitable partners. In recognition of the first responders who were central to the response on and after 9/11, players, coaches, and staff from the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys will wear commemorative NYPD, FDNY, and PAPD hats during their Sunday Night Football matchup. Both teams will also wear "Never Forget" T-shirts during pregame warmups.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated, "We continue to honor the memory of those we lost on September 11 and the heroes whose courage and sacrifice inspired our nation." He added, "Out of unimaginable tragedy emerged an extraordinary sense of unity and service that brought Americans together."
The league's commemorative efforts will extend globally, including during the NFL's first regular season game in Australia. Pregame ceremonies there will honor the anniversary with U.S. and Australian color guards and flag presentations featuring military personnel from both nations. The NFL Foundation, through its Salute to Service partnership with TAPS, will also support weeklong activities for military families connected to 9/11.
The NFL stated these initiatives are intended to "honor those affected by the tragedy and reaffirm its commitment to preserving the lessons and legacy of that day for years to come."