FOXBOROUGH – There was a big event feel to what would normally be a regular Wednesday for Patriots players.
The majority of the team has been in Foxborough during the voluntary part of OTAs, with mandatory minicamp set to begin in a couple of weeks. And while players have gotten adjusted to the new New Balance Athletics Center, there were some very special guests that got to visit the new turf field as well on Wednesday.
Over 200 elementary school kids from the Young Woods Elementary School in Rhode Island took part in Community Day. For about an hour, hour and a half, kids rotated through various drills and stations with players, getting a workout and memories of a lifetime before finishing the day with some lunch under tents set up in the far end zone.
With Mike ‘Sarge’ Riley emceeing everything, Andre Tippett, Robert Kraft and Mike Vrabel briefly addressed the kids before the fun began.
“Today is going to be about teamwork, learning new skills and having fun,” Tippett told the kids. “Just like football, showing up every day helps you grow stronger, smarter and more confident. We want you guys to bring that same energy and effort off the field back into the classroom and finish up the school year very strongly, ok?”
“We’re honored to have you all here,” said Robert Kraft. “I want you to know how special you are because this is the first event that we’re hosting at the New Balance Athletics Center here. You are the first group to do this and with our whole new team this year that we’re all excited about, the players we have that have come to join us. You’re opening the season for us.”
“I want to welcome you guys, I want to welcome the students,” added Vrabel. “I want you guys to focus on a few things: our players are here. Our players are here to help you have fun, show you the drills, coach you up, teach you, but this is all about enjoying it. But, I want you to thank your teachers. I want you to be mindful to thank everyone that brought you here, that helped you get here today.”
After the event, Christian Elliss, Craig Woodson and Kyle Williams spoke about the opportunity to get a sweat in while putting smiles on kids’ faces.
“It’s been a blessing, man,” Woodson said. “This is stuff that…whenever you make it to this level, this is what you want to do. You want to give back. You want to see kids smile. Being able to interact with them, I just hope we made an impact on their lives today. I’m happy they were able to come out here.”
“It’s fun,” added Williams. “Being able to see them have fun, smiling and things, it brings you back to when you were a child.”
While the grind of the summer is almost upon players, days like Wednesday remind them that their ability to impact lives is far more important than anything done in between the white lines.
