Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien doesn’t back down from a challenge.
On Friday, the former St. John’s Prep alumnus was challenged by his high school alma mater’s state champion football team to continue the Ice Bucket Challenge in memory of Peter Frates, who lost his battle with ALS and attended St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Mass., with O’Brien in the ’80s. Frates, a former college baseball player, was one of the key figures in leading off the Ice Bucket Challenge, which has raised over $100 million for ALS awareness and research.
“So, I’m here to honor the memory of Peter Frates and to also implore and help everybody to do what they can in research and development and whatever it takes to get rid of ALS,” O’Brien said from the Texans’ practice fields at Houston Methodist Training Center Friday. “So, I accept the challenge from my high school football team and I hereby challenge some of my former teammates at St. John’s back in the ’80s. I send this challenge out to Mike Panos, George Delaney, Barry Field, Todd Wright, and Eric Pittmann.”
This one's for you, Pete.#ALSIceBucketChallenge pic.twitter.com/iK152B3zdh
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 19, 2019
“The challenge is now yours,” O’Brien said.
For more information on the Ice Bucket Challenge, visit ALSA.org.