Boston College: Explaining Red Bandana Game tradition to honor Welles Crowther

Each year the Boston College Eagles honor alum Welles Crowther, who saved more than a dozen lives on 9/11, with the Red Bandana Game.

One of the best traditions of this century in college football belongs to the Boston College Eagles and the Red Bandana Game.

What is the Red Bandana Game? Who was Welles Crowther? Why does Boston College honor him?

There’s an inspiring reason for it all.

Who was Welles Crowther?

Crowther graduated from Boston College in 1999 and went to work as an equities trader and volunteer firefighter in New York.

On Sept. 11, 2001, he was one of the many people working in the World Trade Center’s South Tower when it was struck by an airplane piloted by terrorists.

Red bandana meaning: Why does Boston College honor Welles?

Tragically, Crowther perished when the tower collapsed, but not before making a heroic impact.

Survivors told stories of a man wearing a red bandana who carried one injured woman on his back and helped coordinator others to safety. They also recounted how he turned back to reenter the building after they made it out, looking to help others. He saved anywhere from 10 to 20 lives that day.

What is the Red Bandana Game?

In 2014, ahead of the anniversary of 9/11, BC decided to honor Crowther’s memory by wearing special jerseys when they faced No. 9 USC. In the red bandana-inspired uniforms, they upset the Trojans and they’ve been wearing Red Bandana uniforms each year since.

For Welles: Boston College football jersey Red Bandana

For 2021’s game against Virginia Tech, the Eagles once again donned special Red Bandana jerseys.

These ones have “For Welles” on the nameplate and feature the distinctive bandana pattern that Crowther used to cover his face in the South Tower.

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