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Remembering Todd Beamer, whose legendary phrase ‘Let’s roll’ aboard Flight 93 lives on
Beamer graduated from Wheaton College and was a standout athlete, playing both basketball and baseball. Today, one of his former basketball teammates continues to honor his memory and share his story with new generations.
The Man Behind “Let’s Roll”
Beamer was 32 years old when he boarded United Airlines Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. An account manager for Oracle Corporation, he was traveling from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco on a business trip.
The flight was hijacked by four terrorists as part of the coordinated attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people that day.
As the situation unfolded, Beamer and other passengers learned through phone calls with people on the ground that other hijacked planes had already crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
That information helped the passengers realize what could happen if they did not act.
A Final Phone Call
During the hijacking, Beamer attempted to reach his pregnant wife, Lisa, by Airfone. When he could not connect with her, he spoke with an operator who later recounted his final moments.
According to the National Park Service, Beamer calmly described what was happening aboard the plane and asked the operator to pray with him. After praying the Lord’s Prayer, he prepared to join other passengers in an attempt to take back the aircraft.
The operator later reported hearing Beamer ask, “Are you guys ready?” before saying the words that would become permanently associated with his courage:
“Let’s roll.”
The Passengers Fought Back
Beamer was among the passengers who organized a counterattack against the hijackers.
The effort ultimately prevented Flight 93 from reaching its intended target. The aircraft crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing everyone aboard but stopping the hijackers from carrying out another attack on a major American landmark. The 9/11 Commission later concluded that the passengers' actions prevented the plane from reaching its intended target in Washington.
Beamer's actions became one of the defining stories of courage to emerge from the attacks.
Remembering the Teammate, Not Just the Hero
At Wheaton College, however, Beamer is remembered as much for who he was before Sept. 11 as for what happened on the plane.
Former teammates have described him as competitive, determined and deeply committed to his faith. His years as a student-athlete created friendships that have lasted long after his death.
For those who knew him personally, remembering Beamer means remembering a teammate who competed hard, encouraged those around him and valued his relationships.
25 Years Later, His Story Endures
As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Beamer's story continues to be passed from one generation to another — including to students who were not yet born when Flight 93 went down.
His name remains connected to Wheaton, where his former teammates and the college community continue to honor his life and legacy.
And the words he spoke in the final moments of his life remain among the most recognizable phrases associated with Sept. 11.
“Let’s roll.”
For many, they are more than the last words of a hero. They are a reminder of the courage shown by ordinary people confronted with an extraordinary moment.
Source: WGN
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