By JOHN INGOLDSBY | Engagement Insider
CAMBRIDGE, MA May 30, 2014 – Harvard Stadium served up a true slice of Americana on Friday night when Tom Brady teamed up with the Kennedy Clan in the15th Annual Best Buddies Challenge touch football game.
With Irish eyes smiling down in the form of a spectacular double rainbow at kickoff, America’s Royal Family resurrected Camelot by playing the sport made famous in the backyard of Hyannis Port, later leading to some playing at this very same edifice for the Crimson gridiron squad.
But unlike those earlier days, the Kennedys and Shrivers were catching passes from the all-time All-American quarterback, who was joined by a slew of New England Patriots, as well as other celebrities before an enthusiastic crowd undaunted by an intermittent rain.
As usual, TB12 delivered both the ball (Final Score 82-76), and for Best Buddies International (www.bestbuddies.org), a nonprofit working with those having intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
“To support this is special for me, special for my family, and special for all the Buddies and their families,” said the New England Patriots Quarterback during halftime. “I have been part of this for a long time and it’s an infectious event, as I learned when got down here 13 years ago and always wanted to be a part of it.”
It’s this type of commitment from the California native that has made this an early Summer New England tradition, made all the more appealing with its folksy feel featuring cheerleaders and a high school marching band.
“We have a good team who work hard to put it together, and there’s a big bike ride tomorrow that raises a lot of money, and we raised more last year than ever before,” emphasized the Best Buddies Global Ambassador. “Hopefully, we can get to $4½-$5 Million over the course of the weekend, which would be great to support all the Buddies and all the programs in all the countries that are doing this great work.”
The Saturday bicycle ride that the three-time Super Bowl winner referenced begins at the JFK Library in Boston and winds its way to Cape Cod, culminating with a clambake on the beach for all of the approximately 1,500 participants who pedaled from 100- to 50- to 20-mile segments.
But first it was football to kick off the weekend, and Brady’s teammates including Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Jerod Mayo, and Ryan Mallet showed up to support him, with Edelman fittingly catching the winning touchdown pass on the game’s final play.
“It’s great that we have had so many teammates who have put on different events over the years, like Karaoke, bowling and golf,” recalled the perennial All-Pro. “We get great support in the community, and it’s neat that the guys come out and support this. It goes both ways – they got my back and I got theirs. It’s fun to see them out here on this special night.”
But it wasn’t only Brady’s current teammates that were there for him, it was also former Patriots like Tedy Bruschi, Dan Koppen, Christian Fauria, and Scott Zolak throwing around the pigskin.
Additionally, the teams also included famous TV Foodie Guy Fieri, an Honorary Co-Chair, and ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, with cameo announcing by Patriots Radio Voice Bob Socci.
And what would a Kennedy event be without politicians, and new Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was there to watch Massachusetts Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III, who along with Brady and Fieri was also an Honorary Co-Chair, and his relative, Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International.
But, as is typically the case here in Boston, it was all about Brady, who is glad to be back on the field.
“Everyone’s pretty pumped up when they score, and it’s great to see the Buddies celebrating with fist pumps,” said the MVP of two Super Bowls who was QB for both teams. “I got to get in the end zone so I can do one too.”