Victor Cruz, Odell Beckham Jr. To Wear Patriotic Cleats Honoring 9/11 Anniversary
This Sunday will mark the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States of America on Sept. 11, 2001 that claimed the lives of 2,977 and forever changed New York, America, and the entire world.
Ceremonies honoring the victims and commemorating the occasion will be taking place across the country, including in sports stadiums where athletes and fans alike will do their part to honor the tragic events that transpired on that day.
Among those remembering the anniversary will be New York Giants wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz, both of whom plan to wear pairs of specially designed, patriotic cleats as a tribute to the 15-year anniversary.
"The cleats by Kickasso like Picasso will include American flag versions for the game. Beckham will wear a special 9/11 cleat during warmups, while Cruz will have a fire truck cleat with his late father's engine number on them. Cruz's dad was a fireman in Paterson, New Jersey.
"It's a special cleat for a couple reasons. I mean opening day is on 9/11," said Troy Cole, Kickasso's owner. "And Odell wanted to pay tribute to the heroes of 9/11, and not toward the tragedy aspect, with the falling building and the heroes all around kind of helping and saving people. That is why it's kind of special and going to be pretty cool."
In addition to the individual efforts of the players to pay tribute, every stadium around the NFL will play a videotaped message from President Barack Obama before the games begin. The president's message will also air on the live television broadcasts of the games before they start.
Former president George W. Bush will be making an appearance in Dallas before the Giants take on the Cowboys for the honorary coin toss while Vice President Joe Biden will be appearing in Philadelphia and will hold the flag during the national anthem alongside 120 first responders at Ground Zero on that day.
Every players' helmet will also be outfitted with a special 9/11 decal, while coaches will all be wearing a 9/11 lapel pin.
Bryan Altman is, for some reason, an unabashed fan of the Rangers, Jets and Mets. If he absolutely had to pick a basketball team it would be the Knicks, but he'd gladly trade them for a championship for any of his other three teams.
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