Patriots' Chandler Jones in Five-Town Special Olympics Event

Photos: submitted

New England Patriots’ defensive end Chandler Jones headed to Holliston on Friday to participate in five-town school day of Special Olympics.

Jones made a special visit to Holliston High School to celebrate more than 80 athletes from Ashland, Holliston, Medfield, Medway and Millis who were participating in these games for the third consecutive year, said a release.

The athletes met at Stoddard Park on Norfolk Street in Holliston and they were escorted through the town to Holliston High School by the Holliston Police and Fire departments. At the school, Jones led stretching and warm-up activities.

After, began the parade of athletes. The participants were led through the school by Jones, police and firefighters. The entire student body lined the school’s hallways to applaud the athletes as they made their way to the field house for the opening ceremonies which featured the passing of the torch, national anthem and the Olympic oaths.

“It was an amazing event to be a part of,” said Holliston High School Principal Nicole Bottomley in a release. “To have our entire student body and faculty come together to support these athletes and to have these athletes shine in so many different events was amazing.”

For the event, the athletes divided up into groups and rotated through eight different stations, including the 40-yard dash, long jump, an obstacle course and more. The participants, ranging in age from seven to 18, walked tall and stood proudly before their friends and family members in attendance. Jones was an active participant in the opening ceremonies and led athletes through the obstacle course station.

“I had a great time,” said Jones in the press release. “For me to have the opportunity to put a smile on these kids’ faces, it means a lot to me. I feel like I actually have more fun than these guys. They bring a lot of energy. I enjoy working with them, taking pictures with them and if I could, I would stay and take pictures with them all day. It was a great time and I’m really happy that I had the opportunity to do it.”

This was the first time that Holliston played host for this annual event, and for Principal Bottomley it took a group effort to put it together.

“This event was a year in the making,” said Principal Bottomley in the release. “We had a great committee that was working together to organize the event and we could not have done it without the support of our faculty and students throughout the district as well as the five towns. We’re just so pleased with how the event went, how it came together and the fact that the athletes had the opportunity to showcase their talent.”