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

  • 105 WEEKS AGO

    Breaking down the greatest year of international...

  • 286 WEEKS AGO

    scottish prop saves fire victim

  • 290 WEEKS AGO

    New Rugby X tournament insane



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The Gallagher Premiership is back - A thrilling match at Tottenham

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Sensational score at the Stadio Olympico

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 25 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 27 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 28 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 31 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 31 WEEKS AGO

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

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 23 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

View All

Funnies

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 23 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 23 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

View All

Amateur

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 123 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 123 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 146 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    The Capuozzo try that jump-started Italy's victory

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 23 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 23 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 26 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

View All