Patriots Plane Bringing Local Health Care Workers To Super Bowl

The same Patriots plane that last year brought back more than 1 million masks from China will this weekend be taking local health care workers to the Super Bowl.

The jet will leave Sunday morning with 76 workers and return after the game, which will see Tom Brady lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Kansas City Chiefs. All the guests will have been vaccinated for at least two weeks.

The workers come from all six New England states and have supported COVID-19 units.

"Last April, when our plane returned with masks from China, we never could have imagined the devastation this pandemic would cause, nor could we have dreamed of the heroic stories and achievements that have come to be as a result, especially the dedication of healthcare workers on the front lines and the creation of safe and effective vaccines," Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said in a statement. "Ten months later, it's an honor for us to celebrate these healthcare workers by giving them a well-deserved break for a day and an opportunity to enjoy the Super Bowl, a reality that is only made possible because of the vaccines."

The Patriots plane last April brought 1.2 million respirator masks from China as personal protective equipment was difficult to come by.

The NFL said some 22,000 fans will be at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, with more than a third of them being vaccinated health care workers.

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi. Subscribe to Boston Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook.