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NFL 4th of July Celebration: Greatest Patriotic Moments

By Erik Lambert

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Arizona Cardinals fans wearing Pat Tillman jerseys (L-R) Dave Schile, Bruce Goff and Dave Schile Jr. look on outside of Raymond James Stadium before Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Arizona Cardinals fans wearing Pat Tillman jerseys (L-R) Dave Schile, Bruce Goff and Dave Schile Jr. look on outside of Raymond James Stadium before Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON – FEBRUARY 11: Paul Tagliabue, commissioner of the National Football League, waits for a House Energy and Commerce Committee Telecommunications Subcommittee hearing to start on Capitol Hill, February 11, 2004 in Washington DC. The hearing focused on the broadcast decency enforcement act of 2004. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – FEBRUARY 11: Paul Tagliabue, commissioner of the National Football League, waits for a House Energy and Commerce Committee Telecommunications Subcommittee hearing to start on Capitol Hill, February 11, 2004 in Washington DC. The hearing focused on the broadcast decency enforcement act of 2004. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) /

Paul Tagliabue cancels games follow the 9-11 attacks

The only time NFL games had been canceled in the league’s history prior to 2001 was due to strikes. Never before had weather or other circumstances led to that happening. That changed after terrorists flew three airplanes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing over 3,000 people. It was the greatest single-day tragedy in American history.

People in the NFL weren’t sure how to react at first. One of the biggest issues was whether teams should move forward and play games directly following the attacks. Many owners were pushing for such a thing, believing it sent the right message that the U.S. would not bow to terrorists. However, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue believed that wasn’t right.

In the end, he made the momentous decision to cancel the games for that week, allowing players and coaches to be with their families. As time went on many came around to proclaim Tagliabue made the right decision. They never truly knew the courage it took to make it in the first place. Not even the mighty Pete Rozelle had it when he faced that decision in 1963 following the Kennedy assassination.

A decision he claimed was his greatest regret. It’s nice to know Tagliabue learned that lesson.

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