New York Fire Department Lieutenant James Dowdell delivered a motivational message titled “We go together” to the Queensland Maroons this month [1].
The address aimed to inspire the rugby league team to unite and play as one ahead of their State of Origin match [1]. By drawing on the solidarity found in the wake of a global tragedy, Dowdell sought to provide a rallying theme for the athletes [2].
Dowdell's connection to the events of 9/11 is deeply personal. He turned 17 on Sept. 10, 2001 [1], just one day before his father, Lieutenant Kevin Dowdell, died in the South Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001 [2].
Following in his father's footsteps, James Dowdell entered the fire service. He was promoted to FDNY lieutenant in 2021 [3]. That promotion occurred on the date that would have been his father's 70th birthday [3].
The “We go together” message served as a bridge between the professional discipline of the FDNY and the competitive spirit of the Maroons. The talk emphasized that the strength of a group depends on the commitment of each individual to the collective goal, a principle rooted in the rescue efforts of the 2001 attacks [1].
By sharing this history in Queensland, Dowdell highlighted how the values of sacrifice and unity transcend both geography and profession [2]. The Maroons utilized the perspective to strengthen their mental preparation for the upcoming series [1].
““We go together””
The use of a high-stakes tragedy like 9/11 to motivate professional athletes reflects a trend of integrating 'extreme' real-world resilience training into sports psychology. By framing a sporting contest through the lens of life-and-death solidarity, the Maroons are attempting to elevate their team cohesion beyond standard athletic competition.
