If you’ve ever stood in the aluminum bleachers of Alumni Stadium on a crisp October night, you know the feeling. It’s a vibrating, low-hum energy that has nothing to do with the point spread or bowl eligibility. You see a sea of paisley. Thousands of students, alumni, and even the opposing team’s fans are clutching squares of red cotton. This is the Boston College red bandana game, and honestly, calling it a "game" feels like a massive understatement. It is a living memorial for Welles Crowther.
He was just twenty-four. An equities trader at Sandler O’Neill and Partners on the 104th floor of the South Tower. But to the BC community, he was the kid who played lacrosse, the guy who always carried a red bandana his father gave him when he was six. When the planes hit on September 11, Welles didn't run for the exits and stay there. He went back up. Over and over. He saved as many as eighteen people while wearing that bandana to filter the smoke and debris. He never made it out.
The Night the Legend Became a Tradition
It started almost by accident, or maybe by destiny. Back in 2011, a BC sports information staffer named Stephanie Guyder saw a segment on ESPN about the "Man in the Red Bandana." She realized he was one of their own. A 1999 graduate. The school decided to honor him, and it morphed into this annual pilgrimage that the ACC schedule now revolves around.
The first official "Red Bandana" branded game was in 2014 against No. 9 USC. Nobody expected BC to win. Seriously, the Trojans were powerhouse favorites. But the atmosphere was different that night. The Eagles wore special uniforms with bandana-print trim on the helmets and cleats. They rushed for 452 yards. They bullied one of the best teams in the country. When the clock hit zero and the fans rushed the field, it wasn't just about an upset. It was about the fact that Welles' parents, Jefferson and Allison Crowther, were there on the 25-yard line.
That 37-31 victory over USC set the template. Now, every year, the school picks one home game—usually a night game, usually against a massive rival like Florida State or Clemson—to serve as the tribute. It’s the game every recruit wants to play in. It's the game every alum tries to fly back for.
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Beyond the Paisley: The Real Impact of Welles Crowther
People focus on the fabric, but the Boston College red bandana game works because it taps into something visceral. It’s about the concept of the "man for others." That’s a Jesuit phrase BC hammers into its students from day one, but Welles actually lived it in the most literal, harrowing way possible.
The stories from survivors like Ling Young and Judy Wein are chilling. They describe a man appearing through the suffocating gray dust of the South Tower. He wasn't a firefighter. He didn't have a tank. He just had a red cloth over his face and a voice that commanded people to follow him to the only working stairwell. He died when the tower collapsed while he was reportedly heading back up with a "Jaws of Life" tool he'd found, trying to free more people trapped near the sky lobby.
Why the Uniforms Matter So Much
Every year, Under Armour and the BC equipment room try to outdo themselves. We’ve seen jerseys where the numbers are filled with the bandana pattern. We’ve seen helmets that look like traditional gold from afar but reveal the paisley under the stadium lights.
- In 2017, the team wore "white-out" versions that looked incredibly sharp under the lights.
- The 2021 game against Missouri was a chaotic, overtime thriller that ended with a pick-six and a sea of red cotton flying into the air.
- The 2023 version against Florida State nearly saw another massive upset, proving that the "Red Bandana Magic" is a real thing that opposing coaches actually have to account for.
It's not just marketing. The players get a lecture during game week. They meet the Crowthers. They learn that wearing that pattern isn't a fashion choice; it’s a responsibility to play with a specific kind of selflessness. You don't celebrate a routine tackle in the bandana game. You just get back in the huddle.
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The Logistics of the Modern Tradition
If you're planning on going, you can't just show up and expect a ticket at the window. This is the hardest ticket in Chestnut Hill, period.
The school usually distributes about 20,000 red bandanas to the student section and early arrivals. If you want one, you need to be at the gates two hours before kickoff. The "Red Bandana 5K" usually happens the morning of or the weekend before the game, which raises money for the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust. It’s a whole ecosystem of remembrance.
I’ve talked to fans who have attended every single one since 2014. They say the same thing: the fourth quarter is when it hits you. There’s a video tribute played on the big screen in the north end zone. It’s quiet. In a stadium of 44,000 people, you could hear a pin drop while Welles’ mother speaks on the screen. Then, the "Welles Crowther Red Bandana 5K" winners are recognized, and the energy shifts from somber to electric. It’s a weird, beautiful juxtaposition.
Common Misconceptions About the Game
One thing people get wrong is thinking this is a 9/11 anniversary game. It usually isn't. Because of how the ACC schedule works, the game often falls in October or even November. The point isn't the date on the calendar; it's the spirit of the person.
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Another misconception? That it’s only for BC fans. I’ve seen Clemson fans in orange shirts wearing the red bandana around their necks. I’ve seen Virginia Tech fans—who know a thing or two about tragedy and resilience—standing and cheering for the Crowther family. It’s one of the few times in modern sports where the tribalism of "my team vs. your team" actually takes a backseat to something human.
How to Experience the Red Bandana Spirit Year-Round
You don't have to be at the Boston College red bandana game to get what this is about. The Crowther family has worked tirelessly to ensure Welles’ legacy isn't just a football highlight reel.
The Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust does incredible work. They fund programs for young people that focus on leadership and service. If you're moved by the story, that's where the real work happens. Also, the documentary "The Man in the Red Bandana," narrated by Gwyneth Paltrow, is mandatory viewing if you want to understand the technical details of what he did in those final sixty minutes of his life.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Visitors
If you are headed to the Heights for the next one, here is how you do it right:
- Arrive Early for the Walk: Watch the players arrive at the stadium. The intensity on their faces during the Red Bandana walk is different than any other Saturday.
- Visit the 9/11 Memorial on Campus: It’s a quiet spot near Gasson Hall. It lists the names of all the BC alumni lost that day. It puts the scale of the loss in perspective before you head into the noise of the stadium.
- Support the Trust: Instead of buying a knock-off bandana from a street vendor, buy the official one from the BC bookstore or the Trust’s website. The money actually goes to scholarships.
- Stay Until the Very End: Regardless of the score, the team gathers in front of the student section to sing the alma mater. In the bandana game, the Crowther family is usually right there with them. It’s the most moving sixty seconds in sports.
The game is a reminder that we’re all capable of being a little bit more like Welles. You don't need to be an equities trader or a lacrosse star. You just need to be willing to turn around and help the person behind you. That’s why, even years from now, the Boston College red bandana game will still be the most important date on the schedule. It reminds us that even in the darkest smoke, there is always a way down the stairs if someone is brave enough to lead the way.