Tom Brady & Chris Harrington at the Tom Brady Flag Football Game
by KALI SMALL
Best Buddies Massachusetts
For the first time ever, the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port was kicked off with a Tom Brady Flag Football Game and the Celebrity Sous Chef Barbeque at Harvard University.
Best Buddies participants, John Derr, Chris Gammons, Chris Harrington and Patrick Whelen, represented Massachusetts by playing in the flag football game.
Aside from their top-notch athletic performances, they kept the crowd thoroughly entertained with some amazing celebratory dances throughout the game!
Immediately following the game, Guy Fieri hosted the Celebrity Sous Chef Barbeque. Kelly Gemma, Michael Jaxtimer-Barry, and Patrick Whelen assisted local Boston chefs as their sous chefs for this event. The celebrity chefs were blown away with the skills of our participants, resulting in delicious cuisine that was enjoyed by hundreds of guests.
Saturday morning kicked off with some thundershowers at the finish line on Craigville Beach, but Andre Williams, a buddy from the Somerville High School chapter, was able to keep the runners and walkers spirits high with a motivational talk. Andre also presented the key note address at the clambake celebration.
While the people on the cape had to deal with the rainy weather, those that participated in the 100-, 50- and 20- mile bike rides managed to stay dry. Best Buddies Massachusetts was proud to have the following buddies represent us as riders in the event: James Anderson, Richard Berman, Katie Doyle, Matthew Kisiel, Tina Love, Virginia Lovett, Sarah Markowitz, Cristen Maxwell, and Patrick Whelen.
Nearly 30 buddies from all over Massachusetts traveled to the cape to participate in the Criterium, a half mile loop at the finish line where they were able to race against one another and be paired on tandem bikes with sponsors and celebrities.
One story that really highlighted our mission was that of Alosha O’Brien, a buddy in the BBMA jobs program, and Verne Troyer, best known for his role as Mini Me in Austin Powers. They met at the Criterium and ended up shooting off the starting pistol together. From there they went to the clambake together and raced one another on their scooters behind the tent.
Alosha said Verne won, but was laughing about the memory as he told the story. Then Verne generously donated $1,000 to Best Buddies, and received a Tom Brady autographed football that he got personalized for Alosha and gave it to him.
At the end of the day, Alosha said he had a new friend and his life had been changed in that one day. They exchanged contact info and plan to stay in touch.
BBMA would like to thank everyone who participated in the event and is so proud to have such amazing participants who spotlighted our mission throughout the entire weekend’s events.
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