Gillette Stadium Sings Happy Birthday To Pete Frates During Patriots-Bills Game
BOSTON (CBS) -- Pete Frates had a very happy 30th birthday.
Frates, a former standout baseball player at Boston College, and his battle with ALS hit the national stage over the summer when he created the "Ice Bucket Challenge" to raise money and awareness for the disease. The Patriots did the challenge as a team during training camp, and owner Robert Kraft wanted to do something special for Frates during the season.
The Krafts welcomed Frates before Sunday's regular season finale against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium, and they posed for a picture next to the team's three Vince Lombardi trophies.
"What an amazing young man he is," Patriots president Jonathan Kraft told 98.5 The Sports Hub prior to Sunday's game. "He is a hero."
Thanks for the hospitality Mr. Kraft! @Patriots pic.twitter.com/1CQXvAhj8B
— Pete Frates (@PeteFrates3) December 28, 2014
Then at the two-minute warning of the first half, all 68,000 fans in attendance sang "Happy Birthday" to Frates. The team tweeted out a video during the game:
Before the half, the entire crowd at @GilletteStadium sang happy birthday to @PeteFrates3!https://t.co/vHu42tbclW
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 28, 2014
New England, you guys can sing!!! Thank you all for the birthday wishes. 68,000 strong!
— Pete Frates (@PeteFrates3) December 28, 2014
On Saturday, hundreds showed their support for Frates with a polar plunge at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester.
MORE PATRIOTS COVERAGE FROM CBS BOSTON