Remembering Welles Remy Crowther.
By: Luke Ballard
CHESTNUT HILL – The Boston College Eagles (0–1, 0–0 Atlantic Coast Conference) will take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (0–1, 0–0 BIG10) in the 13th rendition of the Red Bandanna Game on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
For Boston College, this game represents much more than merely a home-opener or a bounce-back game after last week’s defeat in Cincinnati; rather, this game stands for something bigger than football, and bigger than all of us.
The first Red Bandanna Game took place on September 13th, 2014, when the unranked Boston College Eagles pulled off one of the greatest upsets in program history, taking down No. 9 USC in Alumni Stadium, 37–31.
Most importantly, however, is why we here at Boston College celebrate this game. Known by many as the Man in the Red Bandanna, Welles Remy Crowther graduated from The Heights in 1999 as a member of the varsity lacrosse program before going on to be an equities trader and volunteer firefighter in New York City. Welles commitment to others was nothing new. From his grandfather to his father, to him, Welles was a third-generation volunteer firefighter, joining when he was only 16 years old.
Wearing the red bandanna since he was young, it was a gift from his father that he carried with him everywhere. Often under his lacrosse helmet, the red bandanna became more than just a piece of cloth, but rather a personal trademark.
Welles in his time at Boston College sported #19, now a trademark of honor for the Eagles.
At 8:46 am on September 11th, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Originally planning to go to the North Tower to aid the injured, Welles never made it, as 17 minutes later, American Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower, where Welles’ office was located.
Coming from floor 104, Welles had reached the 78th floor by the time of impact. With elevators down and smoke rising, survivors recall a man with a red bandana emerging from the smoke, offering guidance on safe passage to Stairwell A.
Although Welles had done more than enough as it stood, guiding the injured and shaken to Stairwell A, it is what he did next that encapsulates just who Welles was.
Once reaching the ground floor and guiding survivors out, Welles then turned around and made three more trips to the sky lobby of the 78th floor, climbing through wreckage and rubble looking for anyone left behind.
As the man in a red bandana made trip after trip up hundreds of flights of stairs, the towers continued to crumble, yet Welles remained undeterred in his service for others.
At 9:59 am, the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed with Welles still inside. He was 24 years old.
A red bandana placed next to Welles’ name at Ground Zero, New York City, New York.
Welles would not be identified until his mother, Alison Crowther, read a New York Times article Fighting to Live as the Towers Died. When the red bandana was mentioned, Alison knew immediately that it was her son. Then in a meeting with survivor Ling Young, who was aided by Welles, Young identified Welles as the man in the red bandana who had made the ultimate sacrifice for Young, and for others.
Boston College has had its plethora of successful businessmen and women, CEOs, professional athletes, and outstanding individuals walk through the gates of Linden Lane. Yet, one man rises above them all.
Welles Crowther was the true embodiment of what a Boston College student is, and should strive to be. As a man and a woman for others, Welles Crowther is the man who sits alone atop the pedestal. His ultimate sacrifice has inspired many from the boundaries of campus and beyond to look outward into the world and to aid those who are in need.
As kickoff approaches at 7:30 pm, we at WZBC Sports Radio and Boston College encourage everyone to take a moment of reflection, as we recognize and honor Boston College’s best and brightest alumni on the 25th anniversary of his passing.
Today is more than a game for all. As Boston College honors Welles, who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously on September 8th, 2026, along with the 21 other Boston College alumni who passed away on that fateful day. Rutgers too will honor the 37 Scarlet Knight alumni who passed away in the attacks.
While the Eagles wear the markings of the red bandana, Rutgers will sport the number 37 on their helmets as they honor the fallen.
Today serves as a time to reflect on how we too, whether Eagle or not, can become a man or woman for others, just as Welles Crowther did for us, while we ask the question: What would you do in the last hour of your life? For Welles, it was the ultimate sacrifice.
Thank you, Welles.