Messier, FDNY captain reunite for ABC’s '9/11: United We Stand -- 25 Years Later'

Mark Messier and Larry McGee had an emotional reunion 25 years after sharing a special moment on the ice at Madison Square Garden.

The then-captain of the New York Rangers met with the captain of the FDNY Hockey Team just 26 days after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, in a ceremony before the 2001-02 home opener against the Buffalo Sabres. 

Their reunion is featured on the primetime special, "9/11: United We Stand -- 25 Years Later," which premiered Tuesday on ABC and will stream the following day on Disney+ and Hulu. 

The special explores how sports, music, comedy and theater helped Americans rediscover joy and begin the healing process in the wake of the attacks.

"We had the FDNY and NYPD at the game," Messier said. "There's probably a handful of times in my career, over 26 years, that something was more important than that game at that time, and this was one of those games that felt secondary to acknowledging what these folks had done in the face of adversity."

The Rangers invited first responders to their home opener Oct. 7, 2001, which New York won 5-4 in overtime.

"I was working in the Bronx. The general manager for the fire department hockey team called and said the Rangers were inviting us down for the home opener," McGee said. "Bring your sticks, bring your gloves, bring your skates and bring your jersey. I'm like, ‘Nobody is saying anything about bringing our helmets, in the fire department you wear your helmet,' The helmet is the staple of a fireman, that's the only thing that separates you from other rescue workers, is the helmet.

"There was a picture of Chief (Raymond) Downey in the firehouse and I made a copy and put it on the front of my helmet and brought it down, thinking that if I get a chance, I'm going to sneak this on the ice and wear it."

Chief Downey died in the World Trade Center twin tower collapse Sept. 11, 2001. He was 63.

"Chief Downey was a legend in the fire department," McGee said. "He was the guy you wanted at any tragedy. You wanted Chief Downey there, because he was going to get it done. He just loved the FDNY, but his No. 1 passion might have been ice hockey.

"So, after 9/11, Chief Downey should have been at the command post for the entire operation, but he was in the building with his men when the collapse happened."

At the game, McGee skated on to the ice with the firefighter helmet and joined the rest of the FDNY hockey team on the opposing blue line.

Then the Rangers were introduced individually, and Messier as captain, was the last player on the ice.

"It just happened that Mark did not have a helmet on," McGee said. "On a whim, I said to my co-captain, I'm going to skate over and ask Messier if he'll wear the helmet. He goes, ‘What? That's not a good idea.'"

McGee did it regardless. He skated over to Messier prior to the national anthem and offered him the firefighter helmet with the picture of Chief Downey on it.

"I thought he was just coming over there to shake my hand. And he did shake my hand, but then he said, ‘We would love you to wear Chief Downey's helmet,'" Messier said. "At that point I'm thinking to myself, am I worthy of putting that helmet on? He goes, ‘No, no, no, put the helmet on, we would all really appreciate it.'"

Messier wore the helmet, honoring the memory of Chief Downey and the 343 members of the New York City Fire Department who died that day.

"He was this legendary hockey player who has six Stanley Cups, and who could have expected that," McGee said.

McGee and Messier were reunited for the show 25 years later and discussed that emotional moment in one of the segments.

"It turned out to be a moment that will last forever and I'm glad to be a part of it. I'm glad to represent," Messier said. "I think there are certain people in your life that are great reminders about the importance of giving back. Chief Downey was an amazing guy."

McGee was excited to see Messier for the first time since.

"Seeing him here is emotional," McGee said. "Sports has always seemed to find a way to transcend any tragedy. There's just something about sport, whatever sport. For us it was hockey, it was the Rangers, it was Mark. It meant a lot."