The Jacksonville Jaguars' regular season opener against the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Field on Sunday, September 11 will include a special tribute to the courage and resilience that followed the events of September 11, 2001, as part of a wider NFL remembrance.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early on Sunday to be a part of the remembrance and commemoration. Those fans who cannot attend the September 11thgame are being encouraged to donate tickets to the USO by calling the Jaguars Ticket Office at (904) 633-2000 or by visitingwww.jaguars.com/donate.
With over 5,000 seats still remaining to be sold for the Tennessee game, the Jaguars Ticket Office will continue to extend opening hours to encourage fans to attend the regular season opener at EverBank Field.
Fans are being encouraged to buy early and not wait until the day of game. Fans can save up to 17% on the price of their tickets by purchasing before game day for each of the Jaguars' eight remaining 2011 home games with either the four-game "Flex Pack" or single-game tickets. The Jaguars Ticket Office will be open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. through Friday, and from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 10th.
The NFL, its players and fans will commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11 with special tributes in-stadium, on-field and on television during all games on Sunday, September 11.
The games and broadcasts on opening Sunday will unite fans to recognize those who lost their lives, honor the families who lost loved ones, and salute the American spirit, the early responders on 9/11, and other heroes that contributed to the nation's recovery.
Events at EverBank Field during the pregame and at halftime of the Jaguars vs. Titans game will include the following:
- Pride, Navy Band Southeast's contemporary entertainment ensemble will perform a pre-game concert in TealTown, which is located south of the Pepsi Cabanas at EverBank Field. No ticket is required for entry.
- The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department will have two ladder trucks in the Pepsi Plaza, with a large American flag displayed between them.
- Upon entry into the stadium, Winn-Dixie and the Jaguars will hand out 40,000 patriotic fan banners and over 70,000 small American flags.
- Winn-Dixie will present the Wounded Warrior Project with a check for $100,000.
- 'Taps' will be broadcast live to the video boards from Shanksville, Pa., near the site where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed on September 11, 2001.
- A moment of silence will take place in remembrance of the victims and heroes of 9/11.
- More than 150 volunteers from the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and members of the Florida Air and Army National Guard, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy will unfurl a full-field American flag.
- The Star Spangled Banner will be performed by 19-year old recording artist and 'Glee' guest star Charice. Charice has appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and the Oprah Winfrey Show. She has performed with talents such as Michael Buble, Celine Deion, Andrea Bocelli, and Josh Groban and currently works with 16-time Grammy winning producer David Foster.
- The Colors will be presented by a Joint Branch Color Guard, the JSO Honor Guard and the JFRD Honor Guard.
- The flyover will be conducted by the 125thFighter Wing of the Florida Air National Guard, flying two F-15 Eagles in remembrance of those who were lost on 9/11.
- Members of Jacksonville's Fire & Rescue Department, Sheriff's Office and armed forces will lead the team out of the tunnel.
- Halftime, presented by Winn-Dixie, will feature a 9/11 tribute involving over 400 Sailors and Marines, 'Amazing Grace' on bagpipes performed by SSgt George Black of the Florida Air National Guard, and a performance of 'God Bless America' by Charice. During 'God Bless America,' a card stunt will take place in the north endzone, spelling out 'UNITED WE STAND,' there will be a parachute jump by the Special Operations Command Parachute Team "The Para-Commandos" and over 6,000 red, white and blue balloons will be released into the sky.
- During the 3rdquarter, Army Command Sergeant Major Frank Grippe will address the crowd and recognize Corporal Tyler Southern, a local Marine who lost both his legs andright arm in Afghanistan a year ago after he stepped on an IED while trying to take a building with his unit.
- Jaguars and Titans players, coaches and sideline personnel will wear a special NFL 9/11 ribbon as a patch or pin on their uniforms and sideline apparel.
- All stadiums hosting games on September 11 will feature the ribbon logo on the field. The ribbon logo will also be featured on lamp post and stadium concourse banners at EverBank Field.
In addition to these events, items worn by Jaguars and Titans players during the game will be signed and auctioned on nfl.com following the game to benefit 9/11 charities. These items, which fans can bid on atwww.NFL.com/Auction, will include game-worn autographed player jerseys, coaches and player hats, and commemorative game coins used during the games.
NFL auction proceeds will be divided equally between Tuesday's Children and MyGoodDeed. Tuesday's Children is a leading organization providing support and services to those who lost a loved one on 9/11, as well as to rescue and recovery workers who responded to the events.
NFL auction proceeds from 9/11/11 are expected to total at least $250,000. Including $750,000 in charitable donations to the national 9/11 memorials, total NFL-NFLPA donations will reach $1 million.
It was announced on Tuesday that the National Football League and the NFL Players Association will contribute $1 million to three memorials and two charities related to the events of September 11, 2001.
The NFL and NFLPA will contribute $500,000 to the 9/11 Museum & Memorial in Lower Manhattan, and $250,000 to be divided between the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa. and the Pentagon Memorial Fund in Washington, D.C.