Twenty years ago this week, Lee Corso, host of ESPN’s College GameDay, joined WRUF’s Steve Russell on the SportScene to contemplate resuming college football the Saturday after the 9/11 attacks on the New York City World Trade Center.
Ultimately, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) canceled the games slated for September 15, 2001.
This came after national debate over whether or not a return to normalcy in sports was appropriate in light of the historic and tragic events.
The University of Florida’s matchup against the University of Tennessee was postponed until December 1, when the Volunteers defeated the Gators 34-32 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the first time in 30 years and ended Florida's hope for a national title that season. The loss would be Steve Spurrier's last during his tenure as head coach for the team.
To commemorate the 20-year anniversary of 9/11, the Florida football team will wear special uniforms today - white helmets with a red, white and blue Gators logo - to honor victims and first responders when they face-off against the University of South Florida this afternoon.