MetLife Stadium served as the backdrop for a significant commemoration on Sunday, September 13, 2026, as the New York Giants honored the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks before their Sunday Night Football opener against the Dallas Cowboys. According to reporting by WFMD, the pregame ceremony featured extensive participation from local law enforcement and emergency services.
Fans entering the stadium were greeted by the FDNY’s ceremonial Ladder 343 truck and an authentic World Trade Center steel beam, displayed by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. As night fell, two vertical light columns illuminated the stadium, mimicking the “Tribute in Light” installation. The pregame program included a national anthem performance by members of the NYPD and FDNY, followed by a moment of silence accompanied by a video montage of lives lost during the attacks.
During player introductions, NYPD, FDNY, and PAPD members formed a gauntlet for the Giants. Players and staff from both teams wore commemorative hats on the sidelines and “Never Forget” T-shirts during warm-ups. The Palumbo family, who lost a father in the FDNY during the 2001 attacks, served as honorary captains for the coin toss. New head coach John Harbaugh, who recently joined the organization, emphasized the importance of the tribute, noting that the event honored those who ran toward danger while others fled.