4-Time All-Pro Sparks Frenzy by Showing Subtle “Openness” Toward Patriots After Losing Faith in Vikings’ Long-Term Future

Foxborough, Massachusetts – 01/29/2026 – A deeply emotional gesture from Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, touched millions of hearts when he gifted Super Bowl LX tickets to the family of Stephen LaPorta, an Uxbridge police officer who tragically lost his life while helping a driver involved in an accident on an icy highway. LaPorta, a loyal Patriots fan for 15 years, passed away while assisting a driver trapped in the wreckage on the highway. “We want to give you this special gift. We’ll send you there to honor your husband, your father,” Robert Kraft shared in an emotional video posted on the Patriots’ official social media. “We’re sending you there in dad’s honor.”Robert Kraft surprised Patriots fans Shannon and Matthew LaPorta, wife and son of late Uxbridge police officer Stephen LaPorta who was killed in the line of duty, with tickets to Super Bowl LX. pic.twitter.com/VVZy3vlzaO — New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 28, 2026 LaPorta’s wife, Shannon, and son, Matthew, thought they were visiting Gillette Stadium for a tour, but instead, they received a surprise gift they will never forget – tickets to Super Bowl LX, where the Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on February 8. This heartfelt gesture honors a fan who may have passed, but who will always live on in the hearts of those who loved the team. LaPorta, a brave police officer, made the ultimate sacrifice on January 7 while helping a driver trapped in a vehicle after a serious accident on an icy highway. Though LaPorta is no longer with his family, he is being honored for his courage and sacrifice. He had been a loyal Patriots fan for 15 years, always following the team and passionately supporting their biggest games, including Super Bowls. Upon receiving this special gift from Kraft, Shannon and Matthew were overcome with emotion. “Attending the Super Bowl in place of the husband and father we lost is an incredible blessing. He will always live on in our hearts,” Shannon said, tears in her eyes. Super Bowl LX is not only an important sporting event but also an opportunity for the Patriots to express deep gratitude to those who have sacrificed for the community. Robert Kraft’s gift is not only a tribute to a loyal fan but also a testament to the deep bond between the team and the supporters who have stood by them throughout the years. This trip will forever be an unforgettable memory for the LaPorta family, allowing them to feel the presence of their beloved family member in the most significant moments, even though he is no longer with them.