Today is the first Sunday of the NFL season. It's also the 15th anniversary of the devastating September 11th, attacks.
In stadiums around the country, and on their TVs at home, fans watched a message from President Obama. Obama said that while the attacks shook the world, they revealed the resilience and hope of the American people.
“It’s Sunday, and here in America, that means it’s time for football,” said Obama. “But on this day, 15 years ago, the world was shaken. Towers crumbled, thousands of our fellow Americans lost their lives, our nation and the whole world mourned as one. Yet, as we saw in the days and weeks that followed, and what has become even clearer in the years since, is that the legacy of September 11 is not one of terror or fear, but of resilience and hope, because 9/11 didn’t change us as a nation. Instead, it revealed who we are and who we have the capacity to be. The bravery of our first responders, the example of those who lost loved ones, the service of a new generation of heroes who signed up to wear our uniform, that’s who we are. That’s who we’ve always been — big-hearted people full of courage and optimism. And on this 15th anniversary of a very dark day, that’s the light that America continues to shine for the whole world to follow. May God bless this country we love. Enjoy the games.”
There was concern that recent National Anthem protests in the NFL could cause an issue due to the sensitivity of the date. The protests were started by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick over the treatment of minorities in America and have been joined by other athletes.
Players from the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahakws stood during the anthem with their arms locked in solidarity with the protest while making an effort to be respectful of the anniversary. Chiefs Cornerback Marcus Peters held his fist in the air while the anthem played. A few players from the Miami Dolphins took a knee.