Prior to the season opening game on Monday Night Football last year the Kansas City Chiefs asked fans to be in their seats 30 minutes early for the showing of a (pretty awesome) video to get the fans pumped up for the season.
This year the Chiefs are once again asking fans to be in their seat 20 minutes early for the season opener but for very different reasons. Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills will fall on 9/11 and the Chiefs have announced a number of events planned for the day.
First, Robert De Niro will be narrating a remembrance piece saluting those who lost their lives, the families of those lives lost, first responders and others who played a role in rebuilding the areas affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This video will be shown throughout NFL stadiums that day.
Second, there will be a moment of silence before the game at Arrowhead, and at all other NFL stadiums.
Third, fans will see a live performance of "Taps" filmed at the Flight 93 crash site in Pennsylvania.
Fourth, Kansas City area first responders will be on-hand to hold field-length American flags for the playing of the National Anthem (by David Cook).
Fifth, we'll see a fly-over.
This is going to be an emotional day for all those involved. My mom was in the air on an international flight back to the United States when the attacks went down, was diverted to another country and wasn't able to make it back home for seven days, so we certainly remember that day very well in our household.
Check out Josh Looney's post over at the Mothership for a few quotes and memories of the Chiefs and 9/11.