Boston College Honors 9/11 Hero With Red Bandanna

On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Boston College filled its stadium with red bandannas to honor a young alum who saved lives and still unites a divided country.

Story Highlights

Boston College staged its annual Red Bandanna Game on September 11 to honor Welles Crowther ’99.
Boston College beat Rutgers 28-21 before more than 40,000 fans at Alumni Stadium.
Crowther, a volunteer firefighter and equities trader, rescued many people in the South Tower.
The ritual ties remembrance to a campus mission of service and shared purpose.

A Night of Tribute on a Historic Date

Boston College held its annual Red Bandanna Football Game on September 11 to honor Welles Crowther, a 1999 graduate who died saving others at the World Trade Center. The school scheduled the event on the 25th anniversary of the attacks and centered the night on remembrance. Fans wore red bandannas, players and staff took part in tributes, and the stadium’s focus turned to service and courage. The school frames the game as a community ritual that keeps Crowther’s legacy active.

Boston College defeated Rutgers 28-21 in the 13th annual Red Bandanna Game, with more than 40,000 people in attendance at Alumni Stadium. The close finish matched the charged setting. Reports called the result a hard-fought win that capped a solemn evening on a hopeful note. Independent coverage also recognized the event as the school’s annual Crowther tribute tied to the date of the attacks, affirming the framing around service and memory.

Who Welles Crowther Was and Why He Matters

Welles Crowther grew up in New York, played lacrosse at Boston College, and worked in finance after graduation. He also served as a volunteer firefighter. On September 11, 2001, he guided people to safety in the South Tower while wearing a red bandanna, a habit from his youth. Accounts credit him with rescuing numerous people before the building collapsed. His story spread across the country and became a symbol of courage, duty, and care for strangers.

The red bandanna became the lasting emblem of his actions. Boston College teaches students about Crowther through events, service programs, and an annual 5-kilometer run that supports a charitable trust in his name. Athletics leaders describe the game as a chance to remember a “true hero” and to align sports with the school’s mission to serve others. The shared symbol makes the message easy to see from any seat in the stadium.

Ritual, Community, and the Power of Shared Symbols

Universities use rituals to build a sense of belonging and reinforce values. Researchers who study campus traditions find that repeated ceremonies strengthen identity, social ties, and loyalty over time. The Red Bandanna Game follows that pattern by linking a visible symbol, a true story of courage, and a community gathering. The result is a night that moves emotion and teaches purpose, especially for young students who did not live through 9/11.

A tradition like no other: Tonight's Red Bandanna Game commemorates the legacy of Welles Crowther ’99, whose extraordinary courage and selfless actions continue to inspire generations. It serves as a tribute to the BC and Rutgers alumni who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. pic.twitter.com/fSPfwMAwuS

— Boston College (@BostonCollege) September 11, 2026

Sports media has also embraced the format because the story is clear and human. A single figure, a simple symbol, and a collective act give viewers a way to connect. Past coverage has shown how stadium remembrances can focus attention and honor loss while keeping the larger history present. The Red Bandanna Game fits that approach and has become one of college football’s most visible remembrance traditions.

Why This Resonates Across Today’s Divides

Americans often argue about politics, spending, energy, and immigration. Many also believe powerful elites in government and institutions ignore regular people. A story like Crowther’s cuts through that noise. One person saw danger and ran toward it to help others. A college wraps that choice in a ritual that asks students and fans to care for their neighbors. In a weary time, that reminder feels both rare and necessary.

Game Facts and Ongoing Commitments

Boston College’s win over Rutgers provided the box score, but the school emphasized the tribute itself as the night’s heart. The program continues to support Crowther-linked service work, including the Welles Remy Crowther Red Bandanna 5K, which benefits a charitable trust guided by his family. The university’s athletics and mission offices keep these efforts active so that the symbol does not fade when the lights go out and the season moves on.