September 20, 2002

A MassGeneral Hospital for Children patient got a rare treat Aug. 23 when he became an honorary official team member of the Super Bowl champs – The New England Patriots – for one night.

Joe Meade, 12, has been treated at the hospital for an illness called chronic granulomotous disease, which results in a weakened immune system causing extended hospital stays.

On his special night, Joe became an honorary Patriot's captain for the exhibition game against the Carolina Panthers. Joe and his family watched the pre-game show on the sidelines of the new Gillette stadium, and then he was escorted to the middle of the football field with the real team captains for the opening coin toss. JoeÕs name and a picture of the coin toss were broadcast on an overhead screen. After the toss, he accompanied the team captains to the sidelines and watched the game from the Gillette private viewing box. After the game, he received an authentic Patriots shirt (#80 Troy Brown) and got his picture taken with "Pat the Patriot," the team mascot (shown below).

"I remember I could not stop smiling as we walked out onto the field for the coin toss," says Joe. "I even got to shake hands with all the players. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience; I was so excited."

Adding to his excitement was the Pats' victory over the Panthers – 23 to 3.