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BLOG: Ravens Share Their Thoughts About Playing On Sept. 11

Coach Harbaugh
"We talked to our team about this a little bit last week. Everybody remembers where they were 10 years ago on Sept. 11. Even our guys who are 21 years old remember being in school. Some of us older guys remember game-planning for different teams that we were playing. It's just momentous. It's an honor to be a part of it. We are proud, as the National Football League and as the Baltimore Ravens, to be playing, obviously, a very important football game. But nothing is more important than our country and the people who gave their lives. Really, it's the families. I think about the kids who lost parents on that day. That's what you play for. So, it's just an honor to be a part of it."

"They will be preparing for the game all week, so they'll be thinking about the game. But, I also think you can take a couple of minutes and take your heart and put it somewhere else for a short period of time and honor those [who lost their lives]. And, really, honor our country and the sacrifices in the last 10 years in the wars that are being fought in Afghanistan and Iraq and the families and the soldiers who have given so much. It's not hard to do that, and then our guys will be back to business, because that's really what America is all about – the freedom to be able to achieve and be a part of that and to make the most of every single day or make the most of an opportunity like we're going to have to play a football game."

Joe Flacco
"I think it will be a pretty emotional day for a lot of people out there. For me, I am going to go out there and play football, just like we always do. I think it will be a good thing for some football games to be on and occupy some people's minds with some football games and some good thoughts for a little while."

Ray Rice
"Well, you know what? It's very special for me being that I'm from New York. I can remember 9/11 like it was yesterday. Being in high school, changing periods at class and watching it on TV, watching that next plane go into that building – and not just watching it, but being 20 minutes away from New York City – it's a day you remember for the rest of your life. But, being from New York, it hits in you in different place. So being able to play on 9/11 and represent the Ravens and your country, it's a different kind of pride. It's not the Armed Forces, but we can go out there and play with pride and be thankful for being here today. It's a special day."

Ray Lewis
"I think, honestly, the game will always remain the game. But, I think, there's a real human side that our country is going to go through. A lot of people lost mothers, fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, aunts, coworkers. There's going to be a lot of grieving on that day. Truly, the game always takes care of the game. But, there will be a lot of people who probably won't turn on the television because that pain will still exist from the last 10 years. They're still living it, and we have to be really conscious of that and really, really honor them – not only in our playing and who wins and loses the game – but also in your prayers and things like that. Our country really went through something very traumatic, and even if it didn't directly affect you, it does affect who we are.

Andre Gurode
"Let me first say that we all remember what happened on 9/11 10 years ago, which will be the anniversary this Sunday. It signifies that this country is coming together, moving forward, but not forgetting those that have been lost. To play on a national stage vs. a rival opponent is going to be a big task. This team is getting ready and fired up to play this game."

"It's something that is very difficult. I don't think you can prepare for anything that happened like this 10 years ago. People have had loved ones lost in the tragedy, so it brings everyone back to one of the worst times in this country's history. We are going to go out there, take a moment of silence to pay our respects to those guys, and then we are going to kick it up for the football game."

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