On the 22nd Anniversary of 9/11, the New York Jets paid tribute to the fallen heroes and first responders when NYPD officer Brianna Fernandez sang the National Anthem. Fernandez’s father, who was with the NYPD, has since passed away. He spent months working on the recovery efforts following the terrorist attack.
🫡🇺🇸#NeverForget pic.twitter.com/5C7HumWsen
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) September 12, 2023
This game wasn’t Brianna’s first rodeo, as she has sung the National Anthem at Jets games before. Fernandez sang the National Anthem last season during the Jets’ game against the Baltimore Ravens. The crowd went wild as Fernandez sang, and the entire NFL field was covered by the United States flag.
Last season, the home crowd sang the National Anthem together, and the same happened in the Jets home opener. Last season, the Jets shot fireworks from the top of the stadium during the performance.
Fernandez has followed in her father’s footsteps. She works in the 9th Precinct, where her father worked during 9/11. Her father, Luis, served 23 years in the NYPD.
The national anthem will be sung by NYPD PO Brianna Fernandez, whose late father – Luis Fernandez – served in the NYPD for 23 years & was part of 9/11 recovery efforts.
He died in 2014 from esophageal cancer.
There will also be a moment of silence for those lost on 9/11 #Jets https://t.co/Wz0N1k1PZi
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) September 9, 2023
Fernandez had this to say about her experience last season: “I’m so excited to be here, so thrilled to be singing on this special day, and I hope everyone joins in with me today.”
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Last season, the Jets organization wanted to honor several individuals as they held a moment of silence for the victims of 9/11, Queen Elizabeth II, and others. This should be one performance for the record books.
What Type of Game Should We Expect From the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills?
The opening week of the 2023 NFL regular season is capped off with a sensational showdown where the Jets and their newly acquired QB Aaron Rodgers will be facing the Buffalo Bills and mainstay QB Josh Allen. While both teams have enough firepower on offense to make this a shootout, don’t expect it to be.
NYPD officer Brianna Fernandez is ready for a full house to join her in singing today’s National Anthem 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/zBgwjnvlNY
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 11, 2022
The Jets have one of the fastest-rising defenses in the NFL, led by All-Pro CB Sauce Gardner. Gardner has brought the type of tenacity the Jets have lacked in recent years and has made all the difference in transforming New York from the rug mat of the division to legitimate AFC title contenders.
What Gardner has done for the defense, Rodgers will do for the offense. The Jets have the pieces, including RB Breece Hall and WR Garrett Wilson. New York knew they needed a field general to take them to the playoffs and make a run at the Super Bowl.
The Bills look to improve upon last season’s disappointing playoff exit and make their way to their first Super Bowl appearance since the Jim Kelly era. Allen seems focused on correcting their flaws and taking the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
With two AFC East rivals hellbent on contending for a Super Bowl title, the battles between the two this season will be epic.
