Before a single snap was taken at Lumen Field, the spotlight belonged to a Seattle rock legend. The Seahawks welcomed the New England Patriots back for a rematch of their February Super Bowl LX clash, but this pregame moment carried weight far beyond the scoreboard. A hushed stadium and a guitar set the stage for what followed.
Seattle opened its 2026 season two days ahead of the actual 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, with the tribute built into the Week 1 opener itself. A stadium announcement asked fans to observe a moment of silence, and the normally raucous Lumen Field crowd fell quiet.
Pearl Jam guitarist and Seattle native Mike McCready then took the field for the national anthem, trading a traditional rendition for a freewheeling, Hendrix-inspired guitar solo that leaned into the city's grunge roots.
The Seahawks also hosted first responders who had traveled across the country to **** ist in recovery efforts after the attacks, and a military flyover closed out the pregame ceremony.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; A general view at halftime in Super Bowl LX between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

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