Boston College Honors 9/11 Hero Welles Crowther

Boston College hosted Rutgers University in its annual Red Bandanna Game on Friday night, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The host team secured a 28-21 victory in a college football contest dedicated to former Boston College student Welles Crowther and other victims of the attacks.

The annual game serves as a tribute to Crowther, a former lacrosse player at the college who died while assisting victims inside the World Trade Center. On Friday, members of both university communities gathered at Alumni Stadium to honor the victims and their families.

Honoring Welles Crowther

Crowther lost his life in the collapse of the World Trade Center’s South Tower after helping rescue more than a dozen people. Known for carrying a red bandanna since childhood, he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump on the Tuesday preceding the game.

During the event, Boston College marked Crowther’s lacrosse jersey number, 19, inside each 20-yard line along its sideline. Before kickoff, the stadium broadcast a video tribute dedicated to his actions. Crowther’s family and former lacrosse teammates were brought onto the field early in the second quarter to receive recognition from the crowd. His mother, Alison Crowther, spoke on the sideline prior to the game, reflecting on the community support and encouraging spectators to recognize their ability to bring good into the world.

Uniform Tributes and Campus Victims

Boston College players wore specialized uniforms featuring bandanna paisley patterns, with “FOR WELLES” printed on the back of their jerseys instead of individual player names. The school has featured special bandanna-themed uniforms for this commemorative game every season since Sept. 13, 2014.

Rutgers participants also wore custom uniform elements. The team’s pants featured the words “Never Forget” along the side, while their helmet numbers contained images of the U.S. flag surrounding the number 37. This detail honored the 37 Rutgers alumni who died in the 2001 attacks. Boston College also recognized the 22 alumni it lost in the tragedy, inviting surviving family members onto the field after the first quarter.

Game Results and Statements

On the field, Boston College quarterback Mason McKenzie scored two touchdowns, throwing a 78-yard pass for one score and running into the end zone for another, leading the Eagles to a 28-21 victory over Rutgers.

Speaking after the contest, Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien called the occasion “a monumental night” for the institution, emphasizing the importance of securing a victory to honor Crowther’s memory. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano expressed appreciation for participating, stating that “to be part of the game that commemorates that is an honor.” Linebacker Anthony Palano noted that joining the team quickly taught him how much the annual event signifies to the campus community.

Background

The Red Bandanna Game has been an annual tradition for the Boston College football program since 2014, honoring Welles Crowther’s actions during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Crowther played varsity lacrosse at Boston College before working in the World Trade Center. Using his red bandanna to shield himself from smoke, he repeatedly navigated damaged stairwells to direct trapped survivors to safety prior to the tower’s collapse.