--- title: "Golf ball found in World Trade Center rubble" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/media/golf-ball-found-in-world-trade-center-rubble" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/golf-ball-found-in-world-trade-center-rubble" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/media/golf-ball-found-in-world-trade-center-rubble.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/golf-ball-found-in-world-trade-center-rubble" category: "Media" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-11T18:05:28.829Z" source_reported: "2026-09-11T16:30:00.000Z" updated: "2026-09-11T18:05:28.829Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 57 hype_score: 15 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-11T18:00:28.762851+00:00" --- # Golf ball found in World Trade Center rubble *An Associated Press reporter described finding the object hours after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to a named body (AP) and corroborated by 21 digests. - Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. The full report is by a named author and includes a specific date and location. - Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. The language used is measured and proportionate, with no sensationalism. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - A golf ball was found in the rubble of the World Trade Center hours after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. - The object was described as scuffed and dirty. - The reporter who found it imagined the golf ball in a jar on a desk. - Howie Rumberg was the first Associated Press reporter on the scene. Howie Rumberg, an Associated Press reporter, found a golf ball in the rubble of the World Trade Center hours after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. He described the object as scuffed and dirty. Rumberg was the first AP reporter on the scene and was passing buckets of debris with volunteers and first responders. Rumberg imagined the golf ball as part of a collection in a jar on a desk. He wrote that the ball represented an incomprehensible loss and that finding personal items in the debris told stories of individuals gone. He noted that golf, a game often frustrating, also represents aspiration, friendship, and camaraderie, qualities sorely needed at the time. ## Coverage ## Omissions None of the 22 digests mention that Howie Rumberg was the first Associated Press reporter on the scene at the World Trade Center after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. ## Who covered it Shares of the 22 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 46% (10) - Centre: 45% (10) - Right: 9% (2) 0 of 22 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-11T18:00:28.762851+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-11T18:15:20.907Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Eleven left-rated reports carried the account of the golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble. These digests focused on the reporter's experience and the symbolic meaning of the object. They noted the ball was found hours after the attacks and was scuffed and dirty. The digests also included the reporter's imagined scenario of the ball in a jar on a desk. ### Centre - Nine centre-rated reports highlighted the discovery of the golf ball in the World Trade Center debris. The digests stated the ball was found hours after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and was scuffed and dirty. They also mentioned the reporter's personal reflection, imagining the ball in a jar on a desk. ### Right - Two right-rated reports focused on the golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble. The digests stated the object was discovered hours after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and was scuffed and dirty. They also included the reporter's imagined scenario of the ball in a jar on a desk. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 2 - high: 8 - unknown: 1 - veryHigh: 11 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [The Tribune-Democrat](https://tribdem.com/news/latest_news/golf-ball-found-in-world-trade-center-rubble-became-a-symbol-of-incomprehensible-loss/article_c0980962-6cd3-5acf-90d4-d7cdb41b8a61.html) — Golf ball found in World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [VINnews](https://vinnews.com/2026/09/11/a-golf-ball-found-in-the-world-trade-center-rubble-became-a-symbol-of-incomprehensible-loss) — A Golf Ball Found In The World Trade Center Rubble Became A Symbol Of Incomprehensible Loss - [San Gabriel Valley Tribune](https://sgvtribune.com/2026/09/11/america-250-objects-sept-11-golf-ball) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [The Record](https://troyrecord.com/2026/09/11/america-250-objects-sept-11-golf-ball) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/sports/top-sports-general-news/11131966/a-golf-ball-found-in-the-world-trade-center-rubble-became-a-symbol-of-incomprehensible-loss.html) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [Medicine Hat News](https://medicinehatnews.com/sports/national-sports/2026/09/11/a-golf-ball-found-in-the-world-trade-center-rubble-became-a-symbol-of-incomprehensible-loss) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/world-trade-center-new-york-people-american-associated-press-b3048771.html) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/world-trade-center-new-york-people-american-associated-press-b3048771.html) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [El Paso Inc.](https://elpasoinc.com/news/ap_wire/a-golf-ball-found-in-the-world-trade-center-rubble-became-a-symbol-of-incomprehensible/article_39a4386b-a237-5ad0-bb86-0edf7e177fc0.html) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [Santa Maria Times](https://santamariatimes.com/ap/lifestyles/a-golf-ball-found-in-the-world-trade-center-rubble-became-a-symbol-of-incomprehensible/article_bdd4247a-102c-5ca4-993f-60b342b718cb.html) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [Henry Herald](https://henryherald.com/news/world_nation/a-golf-ball-found-in-the-world-trade-center-rubble-became-a-symbol-of-incomprehensible/article_f5a4913c-a25e-50ca-859f-b06bbdad76e4.html) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [goSkagit](https://goskagit.com/sports/ap/a-golf-ball-found-in-the-world-trade-center-rubble-became-a-symbol-of-incomprehensible/article_ae5c94b5-9bf3-5161-9190-12da2908bdfa.html) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [Jonesboro Sun](https://jonesborosun.com/news/national/a-golf-ball-found-in-the-world-trade-center-rubble-became-a-symbol-of-incomprehensible/article_54e31814-0b0d-5fc6-a5a5-7d8b494325d4.html) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [Leader-Telegram](https://leadertelegram.com/elections/a-golf-ball-found-in-the-world-trade-center-rubble-became-a-symbol-of-incomprehensible/article_630d63ac-fbd5-5bcb-b9fb-db71a996d106.html) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [union-bulletin.com](https://union-bulletin.com/news/national/a-golf-ball-found-in-the-world-trade-center-rubble-became-a-symbol-of-incomprehensible/article_d78bebe2-9f95-50e5-8ea6-e620b232f3ac.html) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [TelegraphHerald.com](https://telegraphherald.com/ap/national/article_f1f8866a-6a9c-5dc5-a611-cece8b616ad7.html) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/golf-ball-sept-11-2001-world-trade-center-fd937ddfcb7a7310d80dae798af6f331) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [NBC New York](https://nbcnewyork.com/news/local/a-golf-ball-found-in-the-world-trade-center-rubble-became-a-symbol-of-incomprehensible-loss/6546624) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/news/world/united-states/a-golf-ball-found-in-the-world-trade-center-rubble-became-a-symbol-of-incomprehensible-loss/article_633ac79d-eaae-58c0-bc9c-b18cb6cdb106.html) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/world/united-states/a-golf-ball-found-in-the-world-trade-center-rubble-became-a-symbol-of-incomprehensible-loss/article_46d8d51a-574a-5872-a902-0f0b114b87df.html) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [St Catharines Standard](https://stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/world/united-states/a-golf-ball-found-in-the-world-trade-center-rubble-became-a-symbol-of-incomprehensible-loss/article_0d19554a-9831-57f4-b6fd-227824779d10.html) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/2026/09/11/a-golf-ball-found-in-the-world-trade-center-rubble-became-a-symbol-of-incomprehensible-loss) — A golf ball found in the World Trade Center rubble became a symbol of incomprehensible loss ## Questions **What was found in the World Trade Center rubble?** A golf ball was found in the rubble of the World Trade Center hours after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The object was described as scuffed and dirty by the reporter who found it. **Who found the golf ball?** The golf ball was found by Howie Rumberg, an Associated Press reporter. He was on the scene hours after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and was helping to clear debris. **What did the reporter imagine about the golf ball?** The reporter imagined the golf ball as part of a collection in a jar on a desk. He saw it as a symbol of personal loss and a reminder of everyday life amidst the destruction. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/media/golf-ball-found-in-world-trade-center-rubble. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Golf ball found in World Trade Center rubble", https://mediabias.news/media/golf-ball-found-in-world-trade-center-rubble