Pats, Special Olympics announce flag football event

FOXBORO, Mass. (WHDH) -- The following press release was sent out by the New England Patriots about their upcoming flag football tournament:

Special Olympics Massachusetts, a leader in providing healthy lifestyles for individuals with intellectual disabilities, has a winning partnership with the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. Sunday, October 28 will mark the fourth annual Flag Football and Cheerleading event at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough – and the championship partnership of Special Olympics and the Patriots.

The event made its debut in 2009 at Gillette Stadium. Each year the event has grown, as flag football and cheerleading participation continues to increase throughout Special Olympics Massachusetts. Athletes and Unified Sports® partners from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island will participate in five-on-five flag football games and cheerleading demonstrations. A number of New England Patriots alumni will be in attendance, handing out awards and supporting the Special Olympics athletes.

“We are glad to provide athletes with a popular sporting event that imparts the thrills of participating in flag football and cheerleading while also offering an exciting way to stay healthy,” said Robert Johnson, President and CEO of Special Olympics Massachusetts. “The New England Patriots inspire athletes as champions who represent success and celebration and the thrill of competing in Gillette Stadium is the opportunity of a lifetime for many. We are grateful for this chance and for the support of the New England Patriots.”

Due to the increased popularity of the event, this year’s competition will be spread over two venues taking place simultaneously on October 23. Along with Gillette Stadium, half of the 46 teams will compete in the tournament at Franklin High School in Franklin, MA.

“For the fourth year, we are glad to team with Special Olympics for this growing event,” said Andre Tippett, Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs. “These games highlight the Kraft family and New England Patriots Charitable Foundation’s commitment to youth sports and character development of youth and their families. There is no better setting for this day of football than Gillette Stadium, and we are honored to host the state games again this year. We wish the athletes the best of luck and hope they know we are cheering for them.”

The timeline for the event is as follows:

8:00 - 8:30 a.m.           Team Registration

8:30 a.m.                     Coaches & Referee Meeting

9:00 a.m.                     Opening Ceremony

9:50 a.m.                     Competition Begins

1:30 p.m.                     Awards Ceremony Begins

4:00 p.m.                     Event Ends

Venue 1: Gillette Stadium
1 Patriot Place, Foxborough, MA

Venue 2: Franklin High School
218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA