PITTSBURGH — On the morning of September 11th, 2001, Steelers President Art Rooney II was at Heinz Field. He was in a planning meeting, putting the final touches on the stadium set to host its first regular-season NFL game in just five days, when a staffer rushed in, saying a plane had hit the World Trade Center.
“My dad and I walked over to our office and turned on the television and just couldn’t believe what was unfolding right in front of our eyes,” said Rooney II.
Like the rest of the world, everything at both the stadium and the team’s South Side facility came to a screeching halt as the tragedy unfolded. Their first priority was providing support to a community that provides so much to them. The organization learned about a candlelight memorial in Somerset County for the victims of the Flight 93 crash.
“We got a couple of buses and took some of our players and coaches up there and were there for the vigil,” said Rooney II. “I actually met some of the families, some of the victims of the crash. It was a very emotional time. I was glad we got to be there.”
To this day, Rooney II will never forget the impact their presence alone had on the families.
“I remember Jerome Bettis was with us,” said Rooney II. “They really appreciated someone like Jerome being there, and Coach Cowher was there.”
In the days following the attacks, the NFL continued conversations about if the upcoming weekend’s games would, and should, be played. On Thursday, September 13, the league decided to postpone the Week 2 games.
“There were those who were arguing, well, if we cancel the games, we’re giving the terrorists a win,” said Rooney II. “There was a lot of back and forth. I think the Commissioner wound up making the right decision cancelling the games. I just don’t think people would’ve been ready for that.”
Many of the players couldn’t fathom taking the field for a game just five days removed.
“It was one of those times where people wanted to be with their families,” said Rooney II. “So Coach Cowher actually let the players go, I think on Thursday, and said if you want to go home, go home, which a lot of guys did.”
After their originally scheduled bye week, the Steelers resumed play on the road against the Bills. On October 7, they returned home to host the Bengals in the first regular-season NFL game at Heinz Field.
“It became a time where I think people sort of saw sports as something to kind of turn to and a way to show their patriotism,” said Rooney II. “They were going to the game and waving the flag and doing things like that. It was another way I think for people to help to start to heal.”
An unusual atmosphere became even more striking when a message from President George W. Bush played on the jumbotron.
“The stadium went very quiet, very attentive to the President’s message,” Rooney II recalled.
The Steelers went on to win the game 16-7. At one of the darkest times in our nation’s history, the organization appreciated the opportunity to help people through the uncertainty.
“The country came together, and it was as unified as I’ve ever seen it in my whole life,” said Rooney II. “Sports and players were all a part of that
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