Leading up to the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York City, TSN takes a touching look at one of the most tragic days in modern history and its impact on the world of sports.Special features on 9/11 air Sept. 7 to 11 on all editions of TSN’s flagship sports news program, SPORTSCENTRE. In addition, THAT’S HOCKEY and the CFL ON TSN PRE-GAME SHOW also have features dedicated to 9/11 onFriday, Sept. 9 (see schedule below).
“The tragedy in New York City touched everyone, including the sports world. TSN is remembering the 10th anniversary of 9/11 with storytelling told through the lens of sports,” said Ken Volden, Vice-President and Executive Producer, TSN. “Our team of producers and reporters has uncovered a series of sports stories that are a raw reminder about the lasting impacts of the attacks.”
TSN’s five-day tribute begins with SPORTSCENTRE’s I Remember, the stories of sports personalities touched by 9/11. I Remember includes experiences from former NHL coach Mike Keenan, Ottawa Senators defenceman Chris Phillips, former NHL players Jean Potvin and Rob Cimetta, Washington Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau, former New York Giants quarterback Jesse Palmer and NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly.
Below is a complete overview of TSN’s special features on 9/11:
Wednesday, Sept. 7
SPORTSCENTRE: I Remember – Mike Keenan
On September 11, 2001 former NHL coach Mike Keenan was at his cottage in Georgian Bay, ON while his daughter was working at a school two blocks from the World Trade Center. Unable to reach his daughter by phone, Keenan got in his car with the intention of driving straight to New York City.
SPORTSCENTRE: I Remember – Chris Phillips
Ottawa Senators’ defenceman Chris Phillips was gearing up for the start of training camp when the 9/11 attacks took place. He recalls watching TV with his teammates as the horror unfolded in New York.
Thursday, Sept. 8
SPORTSCENTRE: The Lessons of Kindness
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, North American air space was shut down and Newfoundland’s Gander airport became a parking lot for planes. Hundreds of passengers were stranded in small town Canada. Many Newfoundlanders made life long connections with the people they took into their homes. In 2010, a girl’s basketball team from the Gander area was invited to a tournament in New Jersey as a thank you for the kindness the town displayed after the attacks. The girls were given special attention and a special tour of Ground Zero, gaining a new awareness of the enormity of the 9/11 tragedy and the impact of human kindness.
SPORTSCENTRE: I Remember – Jean Potvin
Former NHL player Jean Potvin was working at a New York City investment bank the morning of 9/11. From the bank’s office near the World Trade Center, he was horrified to see people trapped in the upper floors.
Friday, Sept. 9
7 p.m. ET – THAT’S HOCKEY: Flight 175
NHL scouts Mark Bavis and Garnett “Ace” Bailey left Boston the morning of September 11, 2001 for a coach’s meeting in Los Angeles. Their flight, United 175, was one of the two planes that hit the twin towers. This is the story of the people they left behind.
8:30 p.m. ET – CFL ON TSN PRE-GAME SHOW: A Question of Tolerance
Canadian football player Sherko Haji-Rasouli was a Junior with the University of Miami Hurricanes in 2001. When the terrorist attacks sparked suspicion and unease about Muslims in North America, 21-year-old Haji-Rasouli found himself explaining his Islamic faith to his American teammates.
SPORTSCENTRE: I Remember – Bruce Boudreau
Washington Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau was scheduled to fly on the same flight as Bavis and Bailey. Boudreau recalls the twist of fate that ultimately saved his life.
Saturday, Sept. 10
SPORTSCENTRE: How the Sports World Reacted
In the aftermath of 9/11 the NFL, MLB and the CFL were all faced with an important choice: should their games go ahead, or should they be cancelled?SPORTSCENTRE’s John Lu, who himself was stranded when his flight was grounded during 9/11, recalls those days of decision.
SPORTSCENTRE: I Remember – Jesse Palmer
Rookie quarterback Jesse Palmer was a back-up as his New York Giants played in Denver the night before the 9/11 attacks. Flying into New York in the early morning hours of 9/11 he remembers the high of realizing he had made it to the NFL, quickly followed by the shock of what happened later that morning.
SPORTSCENTRE: I Remember – Bill Daly
On September 11, 2001 NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly was working in the league’s New York City offices. From a window in those offices he watched the towers burn and collapse. Stranded downtown, he then walked through the ash-covered streets to a friend’s apartment to spend the night.
Sunday, Sept. 11
SPORTSCENTRE: Marking the Anniversary
With the NFL season opening, the U.S. OPEN tennis tournament underway in New York, plus other major pro sports in action, SPORTSCENTRE will have extensive coverage of how the sports world remembers the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
SPORTSCENTRE: I Remember – Rob Cimetta
Former NHL player Rob Cimetta was at a business meeting in tower two of the World Trade Center when it was hit. He recalls the near-panic as people scrambled down the stairs to escape, even as firefighters and emergency workers were passing them on their way into the building.
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