Flyers, Rangers Honored 9/11 in Remarkably Unique Way
By Colin Newby
The Flyers played the New York Rangers in an NHL preseason game on the night of September 20, 2001, just nine days after the tragic terrorist attacks of 9/11. Exhibition hockey pales in the grand scheme of professional sports. However, this night was very different.
It was a time of confusion, turmoil, and tremendous uncertainty in America.
It was the first time that many people had gotten out of the house for a night since the attacks. President George W. Bush was scheduled to speak at 9pm. The initial plan was to show the speech on the big screen at the First Union Center (now Wells Fargo Center) in between the second and third period and in the corridors during game action.
The first 40 minutes of hockey went as many Flyers-Rangers matchups do. Twelve fighting majors and two game misconducts were handed out.
After the second period horn sounded, the expected rush to the concession stands didn’t happen. A crowd typically known for rowdy, passionate behavior and unforgivingly taunting opponents sat in their seats to hear the president’s much-anticipated speech.
The players returned to the ice as expected, and the speech was turned off momentarily. The Philadelphia crowd poured out its infamous chorus of boos with an entirely unprecedented purpose.
The arena personnel later admitted that they didn’t feel it was right to keep the speech off the big screen. Flyers and Rangers players of many different backgrounds waited and watched in unity with the fans while the game was delayed. Stars like Keith Primeau and Mark Recchi stared in awe at the big screen while President Bush announced the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.
The speech lasted until roughly 9:40pm, and a standing ovation in Washington was mimicked by the crowd in South Philadelphia. The chorus of “USA! USA!” rang through the arena.
Hockey seemed completely irrelevant. Flyers public address voice Lou Nolan announced the cancellation of the remainder of the game.
Former Flyers defenseman Chris Therien spoke bluntly in the Philadelphia Inquirer’s remembrance of the event:
"“It would’ve been the most meaningless 20 minutes in the history of sports.”"
The players lined up for a handshake normally reserved only for the conclusion of playoff series.
Fans from Philadelphia didn’t need to cheer for the Flyers at that moment, and fans from New York didn’t need to cheer for the Rangers either. They were unified as Americans in a way that might never be replicated in the future of professional sports.