Tag: heroes among us

Marcus Smart to earn ‘Hero Among Us’ honors in return to TD Garden

During his return to Boston, Marcus Smart will be honored with a “Hero Among Us” Award.

Marcus Smart’s return to Boston is a celebration of much more than basketball. During his nine seasons as a member of the Boston Celtics, Smart made a lasting impact on those in need in the community far away from the basketball court. Ahead of Sunday afternoon’s matchup between the Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies, the team announced Smart would appropriately be  named the game’s “Hero Among Us.”

Since 1997, the Celtics organization has honored outstanding individuals in the greater New England area who have helped or aided the lives of others. Smart’s long list of charitable efforts in the region during his time in Boston made him a worthy recipient of the recognition.

In a press release before the game, the Celtics announced Smart would be honored as the “Hero Among Us” for the night “for being as relentless in his support for New England as he was on the Parquet.”

Former Patriot Devin McCourty honored with Hero Among Us award during Celtics-Lakers game

The Boston Celtics handed former Patriot Devin McCourty a Hero Among Us Award for his work to fight Sickle Cell Disease during Celtics-Lakers game.

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.