Watch: Chills! New York Jet Fans Join in Anthem on 9/11

America recently commemorated the worst terror attack on American soil. It’s been 21 years since terrorists hijacked four domestic flights and attacked the Twin Towers and Pentagon, and a lot has changed in our country since. We are more fractured and divided as a nation than ever, with little hope of a reconciliation anytime soon. The patriotism and unity felt in the aftermath of 9/11 seem like a lifetime ago.

On the 21st anniversary of #September11, fans at MetLife honor and remember with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/FiGZbs8HNo

— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2022

September 11 happened to fall on a Sunday this year, coinciding with the kickoff weekend for the National Football League. Stadiums around the league had memorials, moments of silence, American flags, fly overs, and for just a moment people came together. No small task considering NFL fans are some of the most contentious, ready-to-fight fans in all of sports. The New York Jets hosted the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium, and NYPD member Brianna Fernandez, whose father helped with rescue and recovery, was tapped to sing the National Anthem. What happened next gave viewers at home and in the stand chills. Check this out from fox News:

NFL fans at MetLife Stadium joined together to sing the national anthem on Sunday as the United States remembered those who were lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

NYPD officer Brianna Fernandez led the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in East Rutherford, New Jersey – only about 13 miles west of Ground Zero. Fernandez started the song and the rest of the fans took over.

Chills.

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/zg6YrAnUxa

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 11, 2022

Folks, it’s hard enough to get NFL fans to not beat the crap out of each other on any given Sunday, especially Jet and Raven fans, both of which are known to be extra salty on occasion. To hear 82,500 people lifting one voice singing the National Anthem was enough to make even a hard ass NFL coach choke up.

The broadcast then showed New York Jets coach Robert Saleh appeared to be a bit emotional as the anthem blared over the loudspeaker. Saleh’s oldest brother, David, narrowly escaped the south tower when hijackers crashed two planes into the World Trade Center.

“There’s no doubt. It’s amplified because it is 9/11 in this city,”

“I think it’s very personal for a lot of people and I think that passion is felt country-wide, not just in New York,” Saleh added. “But it’s a little bit more important here and you know that (Sunday) means a lot more than just a football game to a lot of people in the stands.

Everyone was affected on September 11, even if you didn’t know anyone specifically that was there. We all remember where we were, and how we felt during and after. The anger, sadness, and despair gave way to a national unity that we haven’t seen since. To see at least a small example of what America can be in a football stadium on September 11, gives you a small glimmer of hope for our future.

The NFL, and football in general is a savage, aggressive, brutal sport.  But it’s also beautiful in its grace, athleticism and strategy. Unfortunately for the Jets, as they lost, things weren’t as beautiful on the field as they were in the stands pregame. No matter, America got a brief glimpse of what makes us the best.