Together We Stand

Twenty years ago, our world changed forever.

As we approach the 20th anniversary of 9/11, I can't help but reflect on my experiences during these incredibly testing times.

I remember us standing arm-in-arm regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, faith or political beliefs. 

I remember that picture of past and current presidents all coming together for the very same reasons.

I remember us, our society, supporting each other. 

When I think back on September 11, 2001, I'm filled with hope more than anything else. I hope that this anniversary also serves as a reminder.

A reminder of how we came together, worked together, and most importantly, how we took a stand as being the United States of America.

Because, let's be honest, our society today could use some of this unity. 

When the Towers Fell

9/11 is a day no one will ever forget. I'm pretty sure everyone on this planet knows exactly what they were doing when the news hit.

Me? I was just finishing a workout and picked up some supplements when I saw the first plane crash into a building on TV.

When I first watched it, I had no idea what just happened. Honestly, it was like watching a movie. It just seemed so surreal that this could actually be happening on American soil.

We didn't really know all of the details yet, but it was clear to all of us that the country was under attack.

We were still practicing that day inside Memorial Stadium, and I'll never forget this loud rumble in the skies halfway through. I looked up and saw this huge airplane flying directly over us. I didn't have time to put two and two together at that moment, but I later realized that it was Air Force One, carrying President George W. Bush towards Bellevue, Nebraska.

Just seeing something like that made it all very real.

Our following game was canceled, and we eventually canceled the rest of the week of practice. No need to point this out, but this was far bigger than practice, competition, or football in general. 

A State of Shock

During this time, you could see the impact of the attack in everyone's face and body language. 

After the news broke of the third plane that hit the Pentagon, that's when the sense of anxiety really started to set in for me, too.

Are we safe? What if another plane hits? What are we going to do?

Going through emotions like that isn't anything you can really prepare for. There was definitely a heightened sense of security everywhere.

But we were fortunate to have a great coaching staff that made sure we fully understood the magnitude of what our country was facing. They started locking things down at Memorial Stadium in an effort to prioritize the safety of the players.

We didn't return until 9/20 for a Thursday night game against Rice University. Not only was it a rare night game, but it was the one of the first times Nebraska had ever played on a Thursday.

As you can imagine, this one's a game I'll never forget.

The number one priority for us was to honor the people that lost their lives—the people in the air, the ones on the ground, workers, firefighters, and police officers. Everyone!

That night was all about honoring them and our country.

A Historic Game for Everyone

So many memories from that game are ingrained in my mind.

Most notably, there was just so much symbolism displaying our strengths and pride as one nation.

The ceremonies, the huge American flag that was spread out all across the field, the pre-game interactions with the Rice players and coaches — all of it felt different that day.

I still get the chills when I think about it. I was just in a state of awe at the unity shown by the players and fans.

No doubt, that game was special, you know?

It was bigger than any game I'd ever been a part of. And the score didn't really matter. For the first time, I felt we had a duty as players to give people a distraction from everything going on in the world, even if it was just for a few hours. 

What we were playing for was bigger than football. The fans not only needed that moment, but they deserved that moment. 

At the end of the game, both teams returned to the middle of the field together. And honestly, this visual is probably the best way to summarize what this game was all about.

Imagine almost 200 players and coaches from both teams holding hands and praying for the safety of this country. THIS is what it was all about. 

Together we stand, in God we trust—we say those words all of the time.

But on that night, I got to see it in action—and man, it's a memory that will live with me for the rest of my life.

9.11.01#NeverForget pic.twitter.com/SQMAOiPVDL

— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) September 9, 2021

A Time for Reflection

It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since that day.

My hope is that people will use this anniversary as a moment to remember the ones we lost. Nothing good is ever going to come from us continuing to focus on things that have nothing to do with what we're supposed to be as a country.

Out of respect for the heroes that lost their lives trying to rescue other people, we have to take a moment for reflection.

We really need to think about that day.

People need to think about the images of Americans coming together and trying to help clean up Ground Zero. They have to remember the families that were traumatized for days with missing husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, daughters and sons.

That terrible moment humbled our nation, but we need to have reminders in place to stay humble so that we can stay united.

We need to be reminded that we're unstoppable when we stand together.

And for the sake of where our society stands today, I hope we all take this to heart.