ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Hero Mark Bingham's legacy lives on after 9/11

BY Grant Constable  ·  Monday Sep 12, 2011

As you know, yesterday marked the ten year anniversary of the September 11th attacks in the United States. One of the perhaps lesser known stories, especially outside of the US, is that one of the heroes of the United 93 flight takeover was actually a rugby player.

Mark Bingham was one of a handful of guys that took on the hijackers of United Flight 93 that famously crashed in an empty field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing the terrorists and passengers. The flight had been taken over and was allegedly heading for Washington DC.

Bingham was openly gay, and played rugby in San Francisco since his teenage years. At 6ft4, he could handle himself but according to accounts from family and friends, was a sensitive and outgoing good guy. On that fateful day he lost his life but saved countless others, as he and a group of athletic individuals wrestled control of the plane from the hijackers, diverting it’s intended course of destruction.

The following video is a fascinating account of what took place, and how rugby played such a great part in Mark’s life. “Competitive sports and athletic ability really made a difference for America on that day,” say’s his mother, Alice Hoagland. She has since been involved in the Bingham Cup, which is now one of the largest gay rugby tournaments in the world. It will be hosted in Manchester in 2012.

The lesson in all of this is one of courage, honour, and standing up for what you believe in.

You can find out more about Mark Bingham and how rugby shaped him at Withyoufilm.com

Credit: Thanks to Yahoo Video

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 78 WEEKS AGO

    Breaking down the greatest year of international...

  • 259 WEEKS AGO

    scottish prop saves fire victim

  • 263 WEEKS AGO

    New Rugby X tournament insane



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 11 HOURS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 11 HOURS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

View All