FOXBOROUGH, MA — Just days after the New England Patriots punched their ticket to Santa Clara, Robert Kraft delivered the most important victory of the season. In a private moment at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots Chairman surprised Shannon and Matthew LaPorta—the family of fallen Uxbridge Police Officer Stephen LaPorta—with all-expenses-paid tickets to Super Bowl LX.
A Hero’s Legacy Honored at Gillette
The LaPorta family arrived at the stadium Tuesday expecting a routine tour. Instead, they were ushered into the executive offices to meet Kraft. Officer Stephen LaPorta, 43, was tragically killed in the line of duty on January 7, 2026, while assisting a disabled motorist on Route 146. A 17-year veteran of local law enforcement, LaPorta was a lifelong Patriots fan who never missed a game with his son, Matthew.
The room felt heavy with emotion as Kraft handed over the commemorative tickets. Matthew, 13, stood in awe as the billionaire owner embraced his mother. The Patriots are coming off a grueling 24-17 win over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship, but for the Kraft family, this gesture was about more than football. It was about community and a debt that can never fully be repaid.
“We’re sending you there in dad’s honor. You are part of our family now, and we want you to be there to see us play. Your father’s service to this community is something we will never forget.” — Robert Kraft, New England Patriots Chairman & CEO
Chasing Title Number Seven
The Patriots are currently preparing for their showdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026. Rookie sensation Drake Maye has looked sharp in practice, but the team’s focus shifted momentarily to the “Blue Line” on Tuesday. This isn’t the first time the Kraft family has used the team’s success to honor frontline workers, but the timing of this gift—coming just weeks after the town of Uxbridge laid Officer LaPorta to rest—hit home for the entire organization.
The atmosphere in Foxborough is electric as the “Dynasty 2.0” era reaches its first Super Bowl. While the players are focused on the Seahawks’ pass rush, the front office is ensuring that the LaPorta family has a front-row seat to history, keeping Stephen’s memory alive in the stands of Santa Clara.
