Lions' Dan Campbell, former N.Y. Giant, reflects on 9/11's 25th anniversary

ALLEN PARK — Twenty-five years have passed, and Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell still vividly recalls the feelings of being loved yet helpless and confused.

At that time, he was the starting tight end for the New York Giants when the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks occurred. Like the rest of the nation, Campbell struggled to cope with the aftermath, experiencing a profound sense of grief. However, in just a few days, Campbell felt as though he had witnessed both the worst and the best of humanity.

“It’s something you never forget. In the middle of a tragedy — especially in New York, where they’re in a hurry. That happened, and everybody pitched in to help. They just wanted to help and do whatever it takes,” Campbell said. “Anybody who was up there at that time, even wanting to go help, to get into the city after that, that took a lot just to get up there. It definitely pulled our country together, and it was one of those things you just don’t ever forget. There was a lot of loss. Those things you don’t forget, and I can’t believe it’s been 25 years.”

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Days after the attacks, Campbell — along with many of his teammates — visited Ground Zero and was accompanied by the New York Jets.

They demonstrated their support for the first responders who dedicated countless hours to searching for survivors and clearing tons of debris from the site where the World Trade Center once stood in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan.

Campbell felt honored by the love and support that first responders showed both teams upon their arrival, with some of them breaking down in tears.

Campbell and his peers felt humbled by the experience. They understood that their presence was deeply appreciated, but felt helpless after realizing there was little they could do beyond delivering supplies like water and other first aid equipment during their visit.

Although he wished there were more ways to help, Campbell and his peers had to accept their visit to Ground Zero had a greater impact on the first responders than they could ever realize, even 25 years later.

“We could do nothing compared to what they were doing — those guys didn’t sleep. Those first responders, there was no showers. There was no food. We were able to go when we went, just to help wherever we could. ‘What can we grab? What can we do?’ They just wanted us to — I think us being there meant a lot to them,” Campbell said.

“It’s a reminder that you may not think it can be powerful, but your presence and being around there and letting them know you’re thinking about them and you just want to help them help others, it goes a long way. You talk about sacrifice; a lot of people sacrificed a lot to help. That was a tough time.”

Campbell’s firsthand experience reflects his deep love and compassion for first responders. He recognizes that the emergency responders who assisted after the attacks came not only from New York City but from all over the country.

With memories of the attacks and the aftermath that came with it still fresh in his mind 25 years later, Campbell’s visit to Ground Zero remains significant. He wore a Detroit Fire Department hat on Friday during Lions practice to honor their service.

Before their Week 1 kickoff against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field on Sunday, the Lions will honor about 30 local first responders from Detroit, including 16 who traveled to New York to assist after the terrorist attacks. The pregame honor will be a significant moment for Campbell, reminding him that a time of grief has already united him with the Motor City.

“It’s significant. It’s unselfishness, and it’s just wanting to help. You dig through that rubble; it’s not like that was some safe place to go out there and do what you do. It means a lot,” Campbell said. “You start talking about these first responders, fire department, police department, certainly everybody that deals with healthcare at that time, just trying to do what they can.”

coty.davis@detroitnews.com

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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Lions’ Dan Campbell, former N.Y. Giant, reflects on 9/11’s 25th anniversary