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The Budweiser 9/11 tribute ad that aired only once

Note: This story was first published in 2016. 

Still reeling from the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, beer maker Budweiser used its iconic Clydesdales to pay tribute to the victims.

The ad, "Clydesdale Respect," aired only once Feb. 3, 2002 during Super Bowl XXXVI and featured the horses bowing in the direction of New York City.

"As you have heard, this commercial aired only once," Budweiser officials told Snopes in 2007. "However, we continue to be overwhelmed by the positive response. Anheuser-Busch is proud to be an American beer company and we wanted to express ourselves in respectfully honoring those affected by the events of September 11th We are pleased that the Budweiser Clydesdales were able to deliver our sentiments in a way that has resonated with many Americans."

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Company officials needed approval from Congress and Mayor Rudy Giuliani, according to KTVI.

"We had a helicopter going over the Brooklyn Bridge," Bob Lachkya former Budweiser advertising executive told KTVI. "Mayor Giuliani let us into the city -- the only film company of any sort right after 9-11. To actually come into air space with our helicopter to film the Clydesdales ... the hitch coming into Battery Park and it was amazing... just amazing."

The company did air an edited version of the ad for the 10-year anniversary on Sept. 11, 2011.

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