East Rutherford, N.J. ? Across the NFL on Sunday, teams observed moments of silence, rolled out U.S. flags and arranged for jet fighters to fly over stadiums to commemorate the five-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani officiated at the opening coin toss of the Colts-Giants game at Giants Stadium on Sunday night, and a moment a silence was held. Kate Mara, the granddaughter of late Giants owner Wellington Mara, sang the national anthem as honor guards from area police and fire departments presented the colors.

Three Blackhawk helicopters flew very low over the stadium as the anthem ended.

In Nashville, Aaron Neville sang the national anthem as part of the Titans’ ceremony, which also featured what was billed as he first operational flyover by four F-22A Raptors, the single-pilot stealth fighter jet.

During pregame festivities before the New Orleans Saints-Browns game in Cleveland, Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the U.S.A.” as a 100-yard long American flag was unfurled and held by members of the Marine Corps. A moment of silence was also meant for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

At halftime in Charlotte, N.C., the Panthers set up a satellite connection for chosen area families to talk with their loved ones stationed in Iraq. Portions of the calls then were played back on the big screens.

In St. Louis, the Rams showed a video montage called “Everyday Heroes” at halftime honoring police and firefighters. Dozens of local law-enforcement personnel and paramedics unfurled a giant flag.

But the five-year mark was all the more poignant for the Giants, who returned to New York a little more than 12 hours before the first plane struck on the day of the attacks. The night before, they opened their season in Denver with a loss on Monday night.

“It’s amazing how close you can come to death and not know it,” Short said.