25 Years Later: Sheriff Wagner reflects on post-9/11 Husker tunnel walk

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the country was united by a collective grief, brought together through mourning all those we lost and our stolen sense of security. But just weeks later, our country used the great unifier, sports, not just as a distraction from the pain, but a way to honor the fallen.  

All around the country, millions of people, no matter what team they cheer on, unified in the common goal of letting the world know they wouldn’t let the tragedy shake them. 

Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner said he remembers the events vividly.

“We had just gotten in and just started our day and somebody said, have you seen the television? A plane just hit the World Trade Center.” Wagner said. “And we thought, I know a plane hit the Empire State Building back in WW2. There have been accidents like that that have occurred. And so, we flicked on the TV and then it wasn’t long after the second tower was hit. We knew something really bad was going on.”

On September 20th, 2001, Lincoln used football to honor its first responders and remember the sacrifice of thousands of Americans. 

Being the first college football team to resume play following the attacks, Nebraska’s athletic department turned to Sheriff Wagner and other first responders, with an opportunity to honor their sacrifice.

“Well, a day or two before that, the director of facilities at the university called and said, you know, we’d like for the first responders to lead the team out of the tunnel. You know, could somebody from your office or would you like to do that,” Sheriff Wagner said. “And I said that I would be honored.”

Now, the September 20th tunnel walk is remembered as one of the most famous moments in college football history. The roar of the crowd, fans chanting – all in support of not only Lincoln’s, but the country’s first responders.

“All 80,000 people in there just erupted,” Wagner said. “And it was, it was very moving. It was something I didn’t expect. It was really gratifying to see the support that public safety had from all of the fans in that stadium, and it really put chills up my spin.” 

 25 years later, the U.S remembers the tragic events, but also looks back at how the people responded, united as one, and using sports as a way to bring the country back together.