9/11 Football Game To Honor Victims, First Responders

In the aftermath of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, David Foster Wallace wrote an essay for Rolling Stone about the following days from his perspective in the Midwest. In the account, Wallace details his neighbors, describing his experience at a house that ended with people from different walks of life praying together. He also describes waking up the next day only to realize he doesn’t have a flag and that seemingly everyone in his town has displayed theirs proudly. 

The search for a flag amidst a moment of community now occurs locally, nearly 25 years later. Players from the Monomoy and Cape Cod Tech Football teams are co-organizing a pre-game ceremony honoring the families and the victims of 9/11, in addition to first responders, prior to their season-opening tilt on Sept. 11 to be played at 6:30 p.m. at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School. 

Jakob Conlon, a junior from Monomoy who plays running back and linebacker, the players were organizing the event to recognize the first responders who serve the community. 

“These people put their lives on the line while prioritizing the safety of the community,” said Conlon. “First responders shouldn’t be taken for granted and neither should the people you love. You never know when tragedy could happen, so spend every day spreading positivity and kindness and appreciate the people in your life.”

Kade Stephens, a senior who plays center and linebacker at Monomoy, seconded Conlon’s remarks.

“We would like this day to [honor] the lives lost at 9/11 as well as the sacrifices the first responders had to make in order to save countless lives,” said Stephens. “As well as coming together against a common event that caused so much despair in our country.”

The idea for the night came from Cape Cod Tech player Isaac Beldredge. Conlon said Beldredge reached out about holding a ceremony or a first responders’ night in advance of their opening game. In the process, the boys invited police and fire departments to the game, plan to have a representative from each town as an honorary captain for the game during the coin toss, and will feature a moment of silence for those lost on 9/11. 

However, there are still two things they need and would like to add, according to Conlon and Stephens.

“We are looking for someone to sing the national anthem,” said Conlon. “As well as a flag to be hung from the ladder truck,” added Stephens.

While they, much like Wallace, are in a search for the symbol to evoke community and national pride, they also reflected on why the ceremony is a great opportunity to come out and support the two teams and, broadly, the community. 

“The event shows that even rivals can come together and have a night for the community. As big as our rivalry is, we are able to look past it and show our appreciation for our community,” said Conlon. “No rivalry should be so big that you can’t look past it for the better of others and that goes beyond football.”

Stephens concurred.

“I want this to say that no matter if there is a rivalry like our own, people can still come together over a common interest and show appreciation,” he said.

If you or someone you know would like to participate or offer assistance, contact Jakob at conlonjakob@gmail.com.