There is one accessory that members across the New England Patriots organization are all rocking this season – from current players to alumni, team reporters, and even chairman and CEO Robert Kraft.
It's not an expensive watch or a championship ring, but a friendship bracelet made by a seven-year-old girl named Riley.
"It's pretty cool when she gives us bracelets," said Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
"I've seen them multiple times and they're always in the same spot. I think I have at least two of her bracelets by now so it's a cool little gesture. They're in my locker. I would wear them during a game, but I don't want them to break."
Riley's parents, Jessica and Alan Tardiff, have been Patriots season ticket members for more than two years. They bring their young daughters to games whenever they can.
The die-hard fans have only missed a couple of games over the years, driving all the way from Lyman, Maine, for games, special events, and training camp practices.
Their fandom was passed down to Riley.
Her bedroom is decked out in Patriots décor, and for the last two seasons, Riley has been a member for the Patriots junior cheerleaders. She hopes to cheer on the sidelines with the actual Patriots Cheerleaders when she's old enough – unless she finds a way to play quarterback for the team instead.
Thanks to her bracelets, she's become one of the most popular fans with players.
"The biggest thing is she just wants to spread kindness," said her mother, Jessica.
"For her it's all about that interaction and a love for the Pats. She's such an incredibly kind kid and she wants to bring smiles to those players every game so we let her stand in the corner and do her thing."
Players always know where to find Riley, standing in the north end zone with her family in the Bud Light Celebration Beer Hall at Gillette Stadium.
Before that, they would find her along the ropes at training camp, handing out her signature red, white, and blue beads.
That's where Patriots rookie Kyle Williams first encountered Riley and her family.
"It brightened my day a lot," said Williams.
"I feel like that's the perfect welcoming gift as a rookie coming to a huge fan base like this. It just shows how involved the sports fans are within this region."
Williams wore the bracelet in one of his first-ever press conferences as a Patriot, and reporters asked about it after a training camp practice.
This raised Riley's profile, and she was thrilled to see Williams mention her in videos that circulated on social media as well as Patriots.com after she'd been making the bracelets for two years.
"She was so excited and made us send her the video to the iPad so she could watch it over and over again," said Jessica.
"That made her say, 'OK, now I have to make more to hand out at training camp and games.' Eventually players were even coming up to her looking for them, so she was a busy girl."
Since then, she's given bracelets to Kraft, Patriots Hall of Famer Julian Edelman, receiver Stefon Diggs, and many others.
"The players have been incredible with her this year," Jessica said.
"To be honest, it actually blows our minds. The hospitality of the players this year is like no other."
DeMario Douglas in particular always makes sure to run over to her corner of the end zone.
According to Jessica, the wide receiver gave Riley a signed jersey for her birthday and always makes sure to give her his wrist bands or other gear after games.
"Pop knows her and always comes over to give her a high five," said Jessica.
"When you remember a face and you come back to see them, you leave an impression on that child like no other, and that's what he's done for her. She has his jersey and everything, so we've loved following him since his rookie year."
Riley has left a similar impression on Douglas.
"I always see them in the corner and give [Riley] a high five," said Douglas.
"She made me a bracelet with the name Pop on it, so I thought that was nice and unique. We love to see fans and help put a smile on their face. That's what she's doing for us – putting a smile on our faces and making our day."
