It's been 25 years since the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, yet the memories have not faded. In fact, for some who survived the attacks, such as myself and my co-workers, those memories will be indelibly etched in our minds forever.
We all have our own 9/11 stories, and on this day of remembrance, we'd like to share with you a story about the New York Giants and their unknowingly fateful encounter with the passengers of United Flight 93.
Early in the morning of September 11, 2001, the New York Giants arrived back at Newark Airport from Denver, where they had played and lost their Monday night game against the Broncos, 31-20.
On their way out of the terminal, they brushed by a group of passengers who were headed
west to San Francisco aboard United Flight 93.
The Giants would make it home that morning. The passengers they passed by, however, would not.
Here's how Giants Wire remembered that encounter previously:
Little did they know that life was about to change forever.
At 8:46 a.m. ET, American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. With general manager Ernie Accorsi and pro personnel director Dave Gettleman now looking on, United Airlines Flight 175 hit the South Tower at 9:03 a.m. ET.
At 9:37 a.m. ET, American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia.
Less than 30 minutes later, at 10:03 a.m. ET, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field in Stonycreek Township near Shanksville, Pennsylvania after those same passengers the Giants passed fought back against the hijackers.
As tragic as the events of September 11, 2001 were, what the country saw in the following days was the very best of humanity.
The loss to the Broncos was deflating. The Giants were tired and just wanted to get home. They didn't pay much attention to the people who were waiting to board that 8:00 cross-country flight to San Francisco.
They remember them now, though. On this 25th anniversary, we all do.
"Coming through the terminal, going out of that terminal when the people who lost their lives are coming into the terminal to get on those flights. It kind of shakes you," Giants Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan recalled in a recent interview with ABC News. "It really shakes you inside. Because those are some of the final moments for those people."
More from Giants Wire:
The Giants got back to their facility well before lower Manhattan descended into the unthinkable horror that it would become that day. They knew a plane had crashed into the one of the WTC towers and like most, assumed it was an accident.
General manager Ernie Accorsi stood outside the Giants' offices with pro personnel director Dave Gettleman and watched as a second plane hit the World Trade Center's other tower. Then it became clear what was happening was no accident.
"There are other games you play, and you don't really remember the circumstances," late Giants head coach Jim Fassel said years later. "You remember that game because of the following event."
The 2001 Giants reflect on September 11th
— New York Giants (@Giants) September 11, 2026
The New York Giants will Never Forget
— New York Giants (@Giants) September 11, 2026
America hasn't forgotten, either, and this weekend, the NFL will remember, too.
25 years later, we will Never Forget. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/57qXG2oTgT
— New York Giants (@Giants) September 11, 2026
As part of the league's commemoration, all Week 1 games will feature tributes designed to honor the lives lost, recognize survivors, first responders, and military families, and connect fans to the lasting message of remembrance and service that emerged after September 11.
“We continue to honor the memory of those we lost on September 11 and the heroes whose courage and sacrifice inspired our nation,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement earlier this month. “Out of unimaginable tragedy emerged an extraordinary sense of unity and service that brought Americans together. As the NFL family reflects on this day 25 years later, we remember those who were taken from us and support those who continue to carry the pain of that day. We also recommit ourselves to the spirit of resilience, community, and service that remains an enduring example for future generations.”
Never forget.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Remembering September 11: Giants recall encountering Flight 93 passengers
