On Tuesday, Sept. 1, ABC aired the special “9/11: United We Stand — 25 Years Later,” a tribute to the victims and a look back at how the country came together after the attacks. Former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan, now a co‑anchor on Good Morning America, opened the program with a personal memory of looking out his Montclair, New Jersey, window and seeing the first World Trade Center tower on fire.
Sports figures stepped up
Strahan explained that, in the immediate aftermath, he and other NFL players pushed to cancel that weekend’s games as a sign of respect. The league quickly organized a nationwide relief effort, sending equipment, supplies and volunteers to support victims and families at Ground Zero. “What were we gonna do? Sit at home? No, we wanted to collectively get together and offer whatever kind of assistance we could,” Strahan said.
The NFL was not alone. In the fall of 2001, the New York Yankees reached the World Series, and despite losing, their participation was seen as a morale boost for a grieving city. Former shortstop Derek Jeter told the special, “It became more than just playing baseball. Our job was to bring joy, especially to New York at that time.”
Music and media offered comfort
Music icons also rallied. Paul McCartney organized the Concert for New York City at Madison Square Garden, featuring David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel and others. Bon Jovi reflected on the power of his band’s anthem, saying, “We got each other and that’s a lot. In that moment, a simple lyric about unity and faith meant everything.”
Late‑night television returned quickly. CBS host David Letterman was the first to resume his show, telling viewers, “There’s only one requirement of all of us, and that is to be courageous.” Music critic Anthony DeCurtis added that art became essential for helping people process fear and loss.
Legacy of compassion
Strahan concluded that the post‑9/11 period taught Americans a new level of compassion and collective responsibility. “I’d never seen the level of unity that we had during that time,” he said, noting how athletes, entertainers and journalists used their platforms to support a nation in mourning.
The ABC special will also be streamed on Disney+ and Hulu the following day, offering a chance for viewers nationwide to remember the tragedy and the many ways the country responded with faith, family values and a shared sense of liberty.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
