Budweiser’s Emotional 9/11 Tribute Ad That Only Aired Once
You and I will never forget where we were on September 11, 2001. It was one of those days that stopped us in our tracks and left a mark that can never really fade. For those of us who lived through it, the shock, the grief, the fear, it’s all still right there in our memories.
Budweiser’s Clydesdales Bow in Tribute
Not long after, Budweiser did something that still gives me chills when I think about it. They aired a commercial during the 2002 Super Bowl, and it wasn’t about beer or selling anything. It was about respect. Their famous Clydesdales made their way across the country, and when they got to New York City, they bowed toward the skyline where the Twin Towers once stood. It was just sixty seconds long, but it said everything without saying a single word.
Why the Tribute Aired Only Once
And here’s the thing, you only ever saw it that one time. Budweiser decided to air it just once because they didn’t want it to feel like advertising. They wanted it to be a heartfelt tribute, not a commercial. They let that moment stand on its own, and I think that’s why it hit us all so hard.
More Than an Ad, A True Act of Respect
Even though it was only on TV that one time, the ad stuck with people. It became this quiet reminder of strength, hope, and unity. Budweiser even donated the money they could’ve spent on running the ad again, millions of dollars, to help families of 9/11 victims. That meant a lot. It showed they really meant it.
Budweiser’s Tribute Returned 20 Years Later
On the 20th anniversary in 2021, Budweiser brought the ad back in an updated version. The Clydesdales bowed again, reminding us that we’re never supposed to forget, not the people we lost, not the heroes, and not the way we all came together in the days that followed.
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Gallery Credit: Madison Troyer