For Welles

The Red Bandanna Game is arguably the most impactful event for a Boston College athletics program steeped in community service. Its impact is critical to continuing the university's greater mission of selflessness for others, and it honors a person who made the ultimate sacrifice to save upwards of 18 people during the tragic events in New York City during September 11, 2001. Having died alongside firefighters and first responders, who rushed into the fiery carnage at the World Trade Center, Welles Crowther's legacy and spirit became immortalized in survivor stories about a young man with a red kerchief that they'd never met, but who helped them escape before returning to a burning sky lobby to help others.

"For us to be able to go out there and play a game in honor of [Welles] is a big deal," said current head Bill O'Brien. "I think it's a great opportunity for Boston College to show off who we are. This is who we are. We're a bunch of people that come together and do a lot of different things relative to academics, sports, community, all of that."

Former BC coach Steve Addazio stood in front of his team with an emotional look on his face. His Eagles were moments removed from their 37-31 upset win over ninth-ranked Southern California, but standing in front of his team cast the victory in a much different and less boisterous light than the scene unfolding on the Alumni Stadium turf. Outside the locker room walls, fans continued celebrating on the Alumni Stadium turf, yet Addazio stood before his team with the game ball in his hand as he addressed the school's overall mission of "men and women for others."

He turned and looked at Alison and Jefferson Crowther, who stood to his side, and delivered them the game ball from the team's win. Their son Welles had never played a down of football for the BC program, but his legacy extended well beyond any pass, run, tackle or score because the collective community chose to honor his story during its first annual Red Bandanna Game.

The night belonged to a bigger mission that reaches its 10th edition on Saturday night when the Eagles host Michigan State.

The bandanna was the most identifiable piece of Crowther's person and dated back to when his father placed it in his six-year old pocket. A symbol of hard work, it stayed with him through his lacrosse career and was with him as he worked as an equities trader on the 104th floor of the South Tower ahead of the moment United Airlines Flight 175 struck the World Trade Center.

Crowther wanted to change careers and become a firefighter ahead of that day, and his heroism on 9/11 was responsible for helping people escape the burning sky lobby. He returned multiple times from a functional stairway to assist those who were injured, and the story became one of the ultimate instances of heroism and altruism on a day noted for tragedy and sadness.

"What Welles Crowther did was spontaneous and outstanding," said wide receiver Jaedn Skeete. "We're playing in regards to him, and I feel like this is just a very special game, probably the most important game of the season."

Crowther's story became known in 9/11's aftermath, but truly found a home in BC's lexicon when the alumnus Drew Gallagher produced "The Man in the Red Bandanna" feature documentary for ESPN. Considered by many as the finest video ever broadcast on the network, it profiled Crowther and told the entire story of how he saved lives inside the World Trade Center before extending into his parents discovering the truth of their son's heroism. Its broadcast in the run-up to the 10th anniversary of the attacks struck a chord ahead of a BC game against Central Florida, and Golden Knight fans extended their warmth by introducing a red bandanna to their notable "Bounce House" home stadium.

Back home in Chestnut Hill, the story grew legs and became the impetus of the Welles Crowther Red Bandanna 5K Run to benefit the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust, and in 2014, BC wore accented uniforms for its nationally-televised upset win over the Trojans. Nearly instantaneously, the exposure linked the game to an annual event that honored Alison and Jefferson Crowther, who produced the lasting image by waving and cheering in front of the packed stadium.

"As the head coach, you're the leader of the program," O'Brien said. "This game will be played forever because of what it means to Boston College and to the Crowther family. For me, in my time here, I'm making sure that our players understand the meaning of the game and making sure that our team's prepared to go out there and play well in Welles' memory. That's a big deal. So yes, I see myself in that role to make sure that everybody understands what this game is all about."

The game itself transcends the actual football match-up, which is why it always required the right opponent. Remembering Welles ensures that his story remains a staple of BC's overall mission, and as a whole, the university never avoids rallying in support of the mission. There's a concerted effort that's geared towards Welles' story and memory, and while time's unforgiving passage included Jefferson's passing in 2019, the family remains etched because of the commitment among all sports to tell the story of their own impact.

"To be able to go out there and soak in the atmosphere before this game is all part of what it is," O'Brien noted. "That's the experience of being a college football coach, and it's one of the best parts about being a college football coach."

Boston College and Michigan State kick off on Saturday at 8 p.m. from a sold-out Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Television coverage is available via the ACC Network with online streaming available from ESPN's family of Internet and mobile device apps.

Players Mentioned

Jaedn Skeete

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