Twenty-five years ago, and I remember it like yesterday.
I remember taking the train to the World Trade Center and walking through the towers, a trip I’d made hundreds of times.
I remember getting on the ferry to Jersey City and marveling from the top deck as we moved across the Hudson River, embracing the beauty of the cloudless sky for the half-mile trip to the office.
I remember arriving at my desk and learning that a plane had struck the North Tower. The many conversations and questions that followed as my Dow Jones colleagues and I covered the breaking news story.
I remember hearing the horrified screams at the other end of the newsroom as a second plane struck, hitting the South Tower.
I remember the order to evacuate our office building. The relative calm of my friends and co-workers, led by Neal Lipschutz, Rick Stine, Linda Fung and Pete Rooney. Making a quick call from my desk and speaking with my dad, alerting him that we were fleeing to safety.
I remember leaving our building and praying to God that every one of my colleagues and friends would be safe.
And hugging a woman on the street outside of our office as the South Tower fell.
I remember walking up the street with colleagues to bunker down at the home of generous editor Jennifer Rossa, trying in vain to call family and friends. But the cell lines were down.
I remember emailing my dad, mom and sister with a subject line of “I’m OK!!!,” telling them that, in the midst of the tragedy, I prayed God would give me the chance to help someone.
I remember getting Neal’s OK to return to our abandoned office and work since I wouldn’t make it home to the Upper East Side that evening.
I remember meeting bewildered people on the way into the office, folks who had escaped on a ferry from NYC. Taking them upstairs to use a landline so they could let others know they were ok. God answering my prayers to be helpful.
I remember walking 60-70 yards to the east windows of our office in the middle of the night and staring at the madness in Manhattan. Fire and smoke filled the air, and it all seemed so surreal.
I remember working through the night on stories with colleagues based near and far, including a stirring column by Dick Levine, one of our leaders.
I remember thanking God when my colleagues showed up on Wednesday morning, led by Colin Kellaher and Joe Woelfel. Everyone was shaken but alive. I think of them often and am grateful I had the opportunity to work with them on the 12th and all the days that followed.
I remember heading back home late on Wednesday afternoon and being so amazed at the resiliency of our great city - and great nation.
I remember it all. And I’ll never forget.
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There’s no smooth way to transition from 9/11 to the games people play but football was a refuge in the wake of that tragedy, and it remains a safe haven. My quick picks for this week:
SUNDAY - 1 PM ET - FOX (2025 regular season records in parentheses)
Tampa Bay (8-9) falls at Cincinnati (6-11) in a shootout. Bold(ish) prediction: these teams combine for 900 yards of total offense…
…take Dee-troit (9-8) at home against New Orleans (6-11). Dan Campbell’s team will come out swinging after a disappointing 2025 finish…
…Atlanta (8-9) loses at Pittsburgh (10-7) in Mike McCarthy’s Steelers’ debut. Cooper Rush gets the nod at QB for the Falcons with Tua and Penix ailing. Next on deck for Atlanta: rookie stud Jack Strand…
…Chicago (11-6) tops host Carolina (8-9) in a matchup of 2025 division winners. Hopes haven’t been this high in the Windy City in decades.
1 PM ET - CBS
Tennessee (3-14) beats the visiting Jets (3-14). Cam Ward gets off on the right foot…
…Baltimore (8-9) wins in Indy (8-9) as the Jesse Minter era begins. The former Chargers defensive coordinator is the fourth head coach in Ravens history…
…Jacksonville (13-4) lays the wood to Cleveland (5-12) in northeast Florida. Welcome to the Browns, Todd Monken…
…Buffalo (12-5) squeaks past Houston (12-5) on the road and takes first place in the AFC East, a spot they’ll hold for the entire season.
4:25 PM ET - FOX
Miami (7-10) loses a road game in Las Vegas (3-14). The Kirk Cousins show may be short-lived, but it’ll get off to a hot start…
…My Beloved Commies (5-12) lose the opener in Philadelphia (11-6). These NFC East franchises are miles apart, folks.
4:25 PM ET - CBS
Green Bay (9-7-1) starts slow in Minnesota (9-8) as the Kyler Murray show begins in Minneapolis. Vikes by seven…
…The Chargers (11-6) deliver an early-season beatdown to visiting Arizona (3-14). It’s going to be a long year in the desert.
8:20 PM ET - NBC
Dallas (7-9-1) loses its opener at the rival Giants (4-13). New York will be hard-pressed to make the playoffs, but they’ll be much improved.
MONDAY
8:15 PM ET - ESPN/ABC
Denver (14-3) wins an AFC West clash in Kansas City (6-11). A healthy Mahomes means a return to the playoffs, but Sean Payton & Co. will have the upper hand this weekend.
That’s all for this week, folks. Enjoy the games and God bless.