NFL's Week 1 9/11 tribute begins in Seattle with wild guitar solo during national anthem
Fox News • • sports
Key Points:
- The NFL's Week 1 games in 2026 honored the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, with teams given flexibility in their commemorations; the Seattle Seahawks took a distinct local approach during their game against the New England Patriots.
- At Lumen Field, a pregame announcement called for a moment of silence to honor the victims, explicitly referring to the events as coordinated terrorist attacks, setting a solemn tone in one of the league's loudest venues.
- Following the silence, the national anthem was performed with a sign language interpretation and a guitar solo by Pearl Jam's Mike McCready, who gave a uniquely Seattle grunge-rock rendition that diverged from the traditional anthem.
- The Seahawks also honored first responders who had traveled to aid in the 9/11 recovery efforts, and the tribute concluded with a military flyover, adding dramatic emphasis to the ceremony.
- This tribute marked the official start of the NFL's 2026 regular season and its salute to the September 11 attacks, blending national remembrance with local Seattle culture.
