Photo:Fanatics
Fanatics
The day was an overall win forTom Bradyand his superfan named Boston.
“Boston was one of the boys and then Brady was his brother,” the seven-time Super Bowl winner tells PEOPLE exclusively at the event held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Tuesday. “Just a really nice family,” he adds.
While Boston’s parents are Patriots fans, the teen became a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Brady played for the Florida team between 2020 and 2022. He admires the decorated QB for being the all-time regular season career passing yards leader — and, understandably, for his impressive collection of Super Bowl rings.
The most important part of Boston’s wish was “meeting Tom Brady” because he had “always wanted to meet him” — and without hesitation, the athlete was all in.
“I think when we were young, we had people we looked up to, and we aspired to certain things because of our childhood idols,” Brady tells PEOPLE, noting that he “had a lot” of idols as a kid. “I think it’s nice for some of these kids to meet some of their childhood idols, too.”
“My dad was the one that was in my house and then I had Steve Young and Joe Montana that were my two idols growing up,” Brady continues. “So, they were probably the reason why I fell in love with football.”
Tom Brady gives high five to child in locker room at Fanatics and Make-A-Wish event.Fanatics
Not only did Brady spend one-on-one time with Boston and his family in the locker rooms, he also ran drills and skills games on the court. He also took the time to sign autographs and snap pictures while providing the kids encouragement and words of wisdom.
“I always say as often as people think that we’re giving to them, they’re really giving to us — just in their spirit, their joy of being here and wanting their families to be a part of this too with them,” Brady says of the brave children diagnosed with critical illnesses.
“I’ve been very fortunate over the years to kind of play a part in a lot of these wishes,” he adds. “Families are happy and that’s really what it’s all about.”
Tom Brady hangs out with fans at Fanatics and Make-A-Wish event.Fanatics
While Brady noted that he’s had the opportunity to play a role in making many children’s wishes come true in the past, this marked the first time he’s done so sinceMichael Rubins' Fanatics was named the first “Official Sports Partner" of Make-A-Wish.
“He usually doesn’t have to say much to get me to come and enjoy something that he’s doing because I love the way that he thinks. He thinks big and better,” Brady says of Fanatics CEO Rubin, who he’s collaborated with on charitable endeavors in the past, like theMerch Madness eventin June.
“He said, ‘Hey, I got an idea. Why don’t we bring a lot of guys together, and we’ll make it a really special day for the families and they’ll get to meet a few of the athletes that they really love?'” recalls Brady of Rubin’s pitch to him. “So, it sounded like a great idea and I think we had a really successful day.”
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Jayson Tatum, Tom Brady and Aaron Judge participate in Fanatics and Make-A-Wish event.Fanatics
In addition to Brady, Yankees great Aaron Judge and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum were also present in making children’s wishes come true.
“I love Michael Rubin and what he’s done with Fanatics,” Judge tells PEOPLE exclusively at the event. “But this is really about the kids, getting a chance to spend the day with them, meet their families and hear their stories. It’s incredible.”
Make-A-Wish America President and CEO Leslie Motter tells PEOPLE that Fanatics was an “obvious partnership” — to which Rubin adds, “Sports brings people and communities together.”
Rubin continues, “I think it’s our responsibility to help make a difference. We’re honored to work together. We’re using our strength and innovation to really help have a huge impact on these kids’ lives.”
source: people.com
