Special Olympics Massachusetts athletes were New England Patriots Foundation guests at the Patriots training camp on Thursday, and some players took a little extra time to make memories with the athletes.
Patriots' Brenden Schooler, Mack Hollins Share Special Moments With Special Olympics Athletes at Training Camp originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The New England Patriots had a group of special guests attend training camp on Thursday, as Special Olympics Massachusetts athletes from the Summer Games watched from the sideline.
After practice ended, a couple of Patriots' players took some extra time to make some memories with the athletes. All-Pro special teams player Brenden Schooler and receiver Mack Hollins visited the tent where the New England Patriots' Foundation guests watch practice.
"I look forward to it every year," Schooler said after greeting each and every one of the Special Olympics Massachusetts athletes from the Summer Games (h/t Patriots.com). "Whenever I get to come over here after practice to see these guys it makes my day better no matter what happened on the field. Hanging out with them and seeing them smile and joke around with me is a lot of fun."
Today, our athletes didn’t just watch the pros — they met them, learned from them, and felt the power of inclusion on the field! Thank you @Patriots & @PatsFoundation for celebrating what athletes of all abilities can do!💪🏈#ChooseToInclude#SpecialOlympicsMA#Patriotspic.twitter.com/OHyp1miht2
— Special Olympics MA (@SpOlympicsMA) July 24, 2025
Schooler is entering his fourth year with the Patriots, so it's not the first time he's hung out with the Special Olympics athletes. He's had the opportunity to get to know some of the athletes and build relationships.
After greeting about half of the group, a familiar voice called out to him. Daniel, an athlete wearing Schooler's No. 41 jersey, said, "Brenden, do you remember me?" Of course, Schooler remembered Daniel, whom he met three years ago and has developed a friendship with ever since.
"Daniel and I met about three years ago now doing a bunch of work with the YMCA integrative program, and I get to do a Thanksgiving and Christmas party with them," Schooler said. "And then he's just out here every year at training camp, so we've formed a good friendship.
"Those guys hold a special place in my heart. I love what the Special Olympics do, because these kids can be overlooked at times because of the challenges they face but they're people just like us who deserve the same kind of attention. Anytime I can give back to them and pour into that community is no sweat off my back."
Joining Schooler visiting with the Special Olympics athletes were Hollins and head coach Mike Vrabel. Although Hollins was signed in free agency and it was his first time with the athletes through the Patriots' Foundation, the Special Olympics holds a special place in the receiver's heart.
"I've been working with the Special Olympics for almost my whole life. I had Special Olympics athletes as neighbors and went to their events growing up, and one of my best friends in college has a brother who was a Special Olympics athlete," Hollins said. "When I got to my third year (in the NFL) and the Super Bowl was in Miami I got to work with them on radio row. It really blossomed from there and I was honored to be named a global ambassador a few years ago."
Hollins made it a point to get involved in the community and participate in the Patriots Foundation's initiatives as soon as he arrived in New England. The veteran receiver has always enjoyed volunteering in different initiatives throughout his career, but the Special Olympics is among his favorites.
"Being part of that inclusion revolution has been nothing but special, and more for me than I feel like for anyone else," Hollins said. "I really enjoy being around the athletes and the people who are connected to it. It's just one big family."
While the Patriots have worked with Special Olympics Massachusetts for years now, they also started a new initiative at training camp this year. During the first practice of training camp, players and coaches walked dogs as they entered for practice as part of a pet adoption event with the Animal Rescue League of Boston, Potter League for Animals, and the Berkshire Humane Society.
Update, Part II: Potter League for Animals reports the one puppy taken back to the shelter was adopted by a family that met the puppy at Patriots camp.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 25, 2025
Furthermore, Animal Rescue League reports they had almost 10 additional animals adopted from the shelter following the event. https://t.co/qlST9rKbFN
The adoption event was overwhelmingly successful, with 40 of the 41 dogs being adopted, and the one that went back with the shelter was later adopted by a family that met it at training camp. In addition, the Animal Rescue League reported that almost 10 more dogs were adopted from the shelter after the event.
Whether the Patriots were finding new homes for shelter dogs or making memories with Special Olympics athletes, there were plenty of smiles and memories made in New England's first couple of days of training camp.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Football
