Former New England Patriot Devin McCourty was honored Thursday night while the Boston Celtics hosted the Los Angeles Lakers. During a mid-game ceremony, the three-time Super Bowl winner was named the night’s “Hero Among Us,” an award granted each home game to an outstanding member of the community.
McCourty and his twin brother Jason created a campaign called “Tackle Sickle Cell,” an initiative to bring awareness to the disease. The Celtics announced in a press release that, according to the American Society of Hematology, sickle cell disease affects 100,00 Americans, including 1 in 13 Black individuals.
The McCourtys have both been personally impacted by SCD. Their father, who passed away when they were 3, carried the disease. Their aunt and uncle are both living with SCD. Through their fundraising and advocacy, the brothers have helped to raise more than $1.2 million for research and care at Boston Medical Center.
Jaylen Brown named to 2024 Eastern Conference All-Star Team https://t.co/Z9EZXg9tCn pic.twitter.com/pw0xHvNREu
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) February 2, 2024
The Celtics established the “Hero Among Us” Award in 1997 to recognize individuals or groups who have an outsized impact on others. This is usually done during a timeout, with the recipient receiving an ovation from the home crowd at center court.
Celtics honor former Patriot Devin McCourty with tonight‘s Hero Among Us Award
Devin and his brother Jason have raised millions to help fight Sickle Cell disease pic.twitter.com/QPXXoEXwgS
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) February 2, 2024
Devin and his brother Jason have also worked to help reform criminal justice. Likewise, they advocate for solutions targeting poverty and supporting at-risk family.
For those reasons, Jason McCourty was an obvious choice to join the list of folks who have been named one of Boston’s “Heroes Among Us.”
How the Boston Celtics bench players are making an impact https://t.co/WJ4BeBz40s pic.twitter.com/rXlp9TIk7m
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) February 1, 2024
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