The Jets and Bills paid tribute on Monday night to victims of September 11 on the 22nd anniversary of the attacks.
Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers ran onto the field holding an American flag, and could be seen wearing an FDNY hat as well.
The teams then observed a moment of silence, before NYPD police officer Brianna Fernandez sang the national anthem.
Before Fernandez sang, an enormous flag was unfurled on the playing surface by police officers, firefighters and members of Tuesday’s Children, a nonprofit organization that helps families affected by terrorism, military conflict and mass violence.
Fernandez thought of her late father, Luis, a police officer who took part in rescue and recovery operations at the site of the fallen towers. A devoted Jets fan, Luis developed esophageal cancer in 2013 and died the following year.
‘It´s an amazing honor to carry on like he did,’ said the 25-year-old Fernandez, an officer in the 9th precinct in downtown Manhattan and the East Village. ‘He loved the job.’
Aaron Rodgers ran onto the field holding an American flag prior to the game
Garrett Wilson wore a shirt with the words ‘NEVER FORGET’ inside an American flag
Quarterback Zach Wilson wore the same shirt before the start of the game
New York Police officer Brianna Fernandez sings the national anthem on Monday night
Fans were given wristbands that alternated white and green flashing light, and fireworks were ignited midway through the anthem.
Coaches for both teams wore baseball caps honoring New York firefighters and police officers from the city and Port Authority departments.
The Jets’ Garrett Wilson and Zach Wilson could also be seen wearing warmup shirts reading ‘NEVER FORGET’ prior to kickoff.
The words were written inside of an American flag rotated sideways.
It was 22 years ago today that the north and south towers of the World Trade Center in New York were struck by two planes in a terrorist attack.
The Pentagon in Washington DC was also struck by a plane, while a fourth plane also meant for DC crashed into a field in Pennsylvania – killing everyone on board.
The death toll reached 2,753 people in New York and 2,977 people total.