OWINGS MILLS - One decade after the United States was attacked by terrorists with tragic consequences, the Baltimore Ravens and their NFL colleagues will honor the anniversary today with a special tribute.

Players, coaches and other team officials will wear special "NFL 9/11" ribbons, patches or pins during today's season-opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium.

"It's very special for me, being that I'm from New York," said Ravens running back Ray Rice, who's from New Rochelle, N.Y. "I can remember 9/11 like it was yesterday. Being in high school, changing periods at class and watching it on TV, watching that next plane go into that building, and not just watching it, but being 20 minutes away from New York City, it's a day you remember for the rest of your life.

"So, being able to play on 9/11 and represent the Ravens and your country, it's a different kind of pride. It's not the Armed Forces, but we can go out there and play with pride and be thankful for being here today."

Every NFL game will include a special tribute displayed on video boards across the country.

The Ravens-Steelers' pregame ceremony will include a performance of "Taps" via a live feed from Pennsylvania at the site of the Flight 93 national memorial.

"I think it will be a pretty emotional day for a lot of people out there," said quarterback Joe Flacco, a New Jersey native. "I think it will be a good thing for some football games to be on and occupy some people's minds with some good thoughts for a little while."

Middle linebacker Ray Lewis emphasized that the games' importance need to be kept in proper perspective.

"The game will always remain the game, but there's a real human side that our country is going to go through," Lewis said. "A lot of people lost mothers, fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, aunts, coworkers. There's going to be a lot of grieving. There will be a lot of people who probably won't turn on the television because that pain will still exist from the last 10 years.

"They're still living it, and we have to be really conscious of that and honor them not only in our playing and who wins and loses the game, but also in your prayers. Our country really went through something very traumatic, and even if it didn't directly affect you, it does affect who we are."

Ravens players, coaches and volunteers from the military and first responders will hold a field-length American flag for a moment of remembrance and silence prior to the national anthem. All fans entering the stadium will receive their own American flag.

"It's flattering, because it just reminds us of how fortunate we are," linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "That was a horrific incident in our country's history, and we can't forget the sacrifices. It's humbling."

The NFL and the NFL players Association will contribute $1 million together to three memorials and two charities related to what transpired on Sept. 11, 2001. Another $250,000 is expected to be raised from items auctioned from games played Sunday.

"Everybody remembers where they were 10 years ago on Sept. 11, even our guys who are 21 years old," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "It's just momentous. It's an honor to be a part of it. We are proud to be playing a very important football game, but nothing is more important than our country and the people who gave their lives. That's what you play for."

Harbaugh said he didn't think his players would be distracted by the anniversary and the surrounding events.

"They'll be thinking about the game," Harbaugh said. "I also think you can take a couple of minutes and take your heart and put it somewhere else for a short period of time and really honor our country and the sacrifices in the last 10 years in the wars that are being fought in Afghanistan and Iraq and the families and the soldiers who have given so much.

"It's not hard to do that, and then our guys will be back to business, because that's really what America is all about: the freedom to be able to achieve and be a part of that and make the most of every single day or an opportunity like we're going to have to play a football game."