Football honors Hometown Heroes on anniversary of 9/11 attacks

Another crowd of more than 40,000 filled Floyd Casey Stadium on Saturday to see Baylor dismantle Buffalo, 34-6. Many of those were the moms and dads of Baylor students, in town for Parents Weekend; many more were Central Texas first responders, hospital workers and members of the military, on hand as part of the celebration of Hometown Heroes Day on the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. (See a photo gallery from the day here.)

To honor the military (including those at nearby Fort Hood), Baylor players wore special helmets featuring a camouflage BU, while the coaches donned camo hats. There was a moment of silence to remember those affected by the tragedy of 9/11, and hometown heroes were honored throughout the game. A special musical performance at halftime featured the Baylor University Golden Wave Marching Band, A Cappella Choir and Concert Choir. In a nice individual touch, quarterback Robert Griffin III — whose father is retired U.S. military — saluted the troops and other heroes in attendance after scoring the Bears’ first touchdown of the day.

Another hero of sorts was also welcomed back Saturday. You might remember that we reported last fall that Col. Charles Hobaugh — the father of Baylor student Stephanie Hobaugh — had carried a Baylor flag into space aboard the space shuttle Atlantis. This weekend, he presented that flag back to the university and President Ken Starr (see photo gallery for picture); it will now be displayed on the Baylor campus.

Sic ’em, Baylor football and all our Hometown Heroes!