Pat Patriot Surprises Franklin Recreation at Flag Football Finale

Youth flag football players in Franklin were greeted by a special guest on Tuesday, Nov. 8, as they took the field for the final time this season during Franklin Recreation’s annual Flag Football Finale.

New England Patriots mascot, Pat Patriot

New England Patriots mascot, Pat Patriot, surprised the youth players, ranging in age from 6-14 years old, on the field at Beaver Pond Recreation Area. Pat supported the youth flag football teams as they played their final games of the year and joined in on the action – playing catch with the players and posing for photos with the teams.

Pat Patriot posing for photos

“It was great to see the smiles on the children’s faces when they saw Pat Patriot walk through the gate and onto the field,” said Ryan Jette, director of Franklin Recreation. “He was full of energy and very engaging with all of our players. He even threw passes and ran plays with the teams. I especially enjoyed when he sat in the equipment cart and let the kids wheel him around the field. A huge thank you to the New England Patriots and the Kraft Group for their support. Pat was a wonderful addition to this year’s NFL Flag Football Finale.”

The Franklin NFL Flag Football program was established by Franklin Recreation in 1999 and has grown from 24 children in its first year to 498 children registered in 2016. The league includes six 6-year-old teams, six 7-year-old teams, ten 8 and 9-year-old teams, twelve 10 and 11-year-old teams and six 12 to 14-year-old teams. The 14-week season wrapped up on Nov. 8.

To find out more about programs that the Recreation Department offers, visit their webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department

Franklin Recreation - 275 Beaver St