Clemson and Penn State Honor 9/11 Victims During Pinstripe Bowl Week in New York City
As part of their week of activities surrounding the 2025 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl, the Clemson Tigers and Penn State Nittany Lions took time to visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City — a meaningful stop that added reflection and remembrance to their bowl experience ahead of the December 27 matchup at Yankee Stadium.
The annual Pinstripe Bowl, part of the 2025-26 bowl slate, brought these two prominent programs to the Bronx for a game between the ACC and Big Ten. While the matchup on the field would see Penn State defeat Clemson 22-10 in cold, snowy conditions, the visit to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum provided players and staff with a powerful reminder of unity and national history outside of football.
A Moment of Reflection
Both teams participated in a solemn visit to the memorial site, where they paid their respects to the nearly 3,000 victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The experience gave student-athletes — many visiting New York for the first time — the opportunity to learn about the events that shaped the nation and to honor the memory of those who were lost.
Through guided tours and time spent at the museum exhibits, players and coaches from Clemson and Penn State reflected on the significance of the memorial. Social media posts shared by both programs highlighted the emotional impact of the visit, describing it as an unforgettable experience that transcended sport.
For Clemson, the visit came just days before their first-ever Pinstripe Bowl appearance, offering a moment for teammates and staff to bond off the field in one of the city’s most historically important locations. Penn State’s group also took part in the day of remembrance, a gesture that underscored the shared values of respect and reflection between the two football communities.
Adding Meaning Beyond the Game
These types of cultural and educational activities have become a valued part of many bowl week itineraries, giving student-athletes a chance to engage with the host city and its history while representing their schools on a national stage. The visit to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum not only enriched the Pinstripe Bowl experience for both teams, it also provided a poignant reminder of resilience and unity — themes that resonate strongly both within sports and across the country.
As the Tigers and Nittany Lions returned to football preparations following the museum visit, the memory of that moment of national remembrance stayed with the programs — bridging the significance of 9/11 with the camaraderie and competition of college football’s postseason.
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