On the night before the 22nd anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Minnesota Golden Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck had players wear 75-pound backpacks in a nod to the firefighters who put their lives on the line to save people trapped in the burning World Trade Center towers.
“This is not life and death. This is football. They had to give the command to actually go up in the buildings with 75-pounds apiece on their back going up 90 floors. So we kind of did an example of us, just kind of had a backpack of what 75 pounds feels like,” Fleck said Monday. “Carry that 90 floors up knowing that’s probably the last time you’re going to see your family, the last time you’re going to your kids, last time you’re going to hug your wife. That was the last time that morning to a lot of people and their families.”
Fleck had the team watch a segment honoring NYFD that aired on 60 Minutes Sunday evening.
“I wanted to make sure I shared that with them because you’re constantly giving perspective as a leader, not to say you have it better than someone else. I don’t believe that because I think everybody’s own issues are their own issues and no issues are bigger than somebody else’s issues. I’m a firm believer in that with mental health,” Fleck said. “But we play a game and we get a little tired here and there.”
Fleck asked players what floor they stay on in the Gophers’ field house and asked if they take the stairs or elevator.
“OK, here’s 75 pounds on your back,” said Fleck, then imaging what it would be like to climb stairs 90 floors while knowing “you’re never going to come back home.”
“Would you do it?” asked Fleck.
“They all did it for the people that told them to go do it. They did it for those families. They didn’t do it in fear of it. And that’s leadership at its finest. And that’s hard to swallow because there were so many people – 2,997 people – killed that day. Just a really powerful day for us to remember how grateful we should be for all the things that we do have. We’re not perfect. The country’s not perfect, but we do have a lot to be grateful for.”
“I want our team to be a really grateful team and do it for each other,” Fleck added.
Fleck and the Gophers face No. 20 North Carolina on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT.
