Christian Headlines Blog Christian Blog and Commentary

Get guidance on Bible study from C.S. Lewis - Free Course!

Son of 9/11 Hero and Martyr Now Playing Football at Wheaton

  • Veronica Neffinger

    Veronica Neffinger wrote her first poem at age seven and went on to study English in college, focusing on 18th century literature. When she is not listening to baseball games, enjoying the…

    More
  • Updated Sep 12, 2016

The son of a man who became a hero on 9/11 and lost his life in the process is now grown and playing football for Wheaton College, his father’s alma mater.

According to PJMedia.com, Todd Beamer’s eldest son, David, is now playing football for Wheaton, the college both of his parents attended.

Todd Beamer was one of the passenger on United Airlines Flight 93--one of the planes hijacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001.

Beamer, along with several other passengers, decided to take back control of the plane from the terrorists. Before going through with this brave plan, Beamer speaks to a GTE airphone operator. He asks her to say the Lord’s Prayer with him, and then he says, “Let’s roll!” a phrase that quickly came to signify the American spirit in the face of terrorism and tragedy.

Although Beamer, along with 37 other passengers and crew members, lost their lives when the plane crashed, they were successful in wresting the plane from the terrorists' control. They were able to direct the plane to a Pennsylvania field instead of allowing the terrorists to crash it into the White House or Pentagon or some other high-profile target.

Beamer’s wife, who was pregnant with their third child at the time, exhibited grace and courage upon learning of her husband’s death.

And now, 15 years later, Beamer’s son David is continuing his father’s legacy at Wheaton.

CBS Sports posted a video to Twitter showcasing just how much of a legacy Beamer has at Wheaton, and particularly with Wheaton’s football program where the players even use his famous phrase "Let's Roll" before games.

 

Publication date: September 12, 2016