Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski, inspired by teenager Jake Drake, who served as the Keeper of Light in Crucial Catch.

Over the course of a few hours, Rob got to know Jake quite well. He learned how the teenager did well in school despite his diagnosis, his love of sports and his musical abilities.

“I love that he has great grades, is so smart and speaks so highly of his family and friends,” Rob said.

“Just to see that feature and have that kind of power is incredible. He plays three instruments: violin, saxophone and piano. Just playing one instrument is incredible, you have to be very smart, and he plays all three and keeps up.” excellent ratings. That’s why he inspires me.”

Before the day was over, Rob gave Jake another surprise, inviting him to ring the bell for the Patriots’ Week 5 game along with former players Joe Andruzzi and Marcus Cannon, who had their own bouts with cancer.

From that moment on, the excitement only intensified.

“It was wonderful for the three of them,” Jackie said.

“Obviously we think Jake is a very special kid – we always have – but he’s been through a lot and has a lot of compassion. He better understands that everyone goes through their own journey, and some journeys are more difficult than others. He understands this better than most 14-year-olds because of everything he’s been through. I wish he’d realized it in a different way, but we’re really proud of him. We are the proudest of all three. They went through all the hardships and it was so great.”

The Drake children, especially Jake, had to grow up quickly, a sad reality that comes with being diagnosed with cancer as children.

But on Thursday, their innocence returned, even if only for the weekend. As much fun as Jake and his siblings had, the day also brought a lot of benefits to Jackie and Brian.

“For this to happen and to put smiles on his and his brother’s and his sister’s faces, I haven’t seen smiles like these in quite some time,” Brian said.

“I know they’re not thinking about all the real things that moms and dads have to think about all the time, and that’s a gift. You can’t put a price on it. I don’t know what it will be.” will be the same for them in a month, but they will never be able to get rid of this memory.”