FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Special Olympics Massachusetts, a leader in sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities, continues its winning partnership with the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation on Saturday, November 19, with the eighth annual Special Olympics flag football state tournament at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.

The event features Special Olympics athletes and Unified Sports partners from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island competing in five-on-five flag football games, along with Special Olympics cheerleading demonstrations. Former Patriots players and the Patriots cheerleaders will also be in attendance to help coach and cheer on the athletes.

"Every fall, our athletes are thrilled to play on one of the biggest stages in all of sports, and that enthusiasm is only rivaled by their competitive spirit," said Mary Beth McMahon, president and CEO of Special Olympics Massachusetts. "Watching the families see their daughters, sons, siblings and loved ones compete on the home turf of Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is an experience that highlights the champion in all of us, and for that we are continually grateful for the ongoing support of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation."

Due to the popularity of the event, the competition will be spread over two venues taking place simultaneously on Nov. 19. Along with Gillette Stadium, half of the 48 teams (listed below) will compete in the tournament at Franklin High School in Franklin, Mass.
The annual Special Olympics Massachusetts flag football tournament is a Unified Sports event, with teams comprised of athletes with and without (Unified partners) intellectual disabilities. Flag football and cheerleading join soccer, equestrian and senior sports as part of the organization's annual fall tournament series, which takes place throughout the months of October and November across the state.

The timeline for the event is as follows:

8:00 - 8:30 a.m. Team Registration
8:30 a.m. Coaches & Referee Meeting
8:30 - 8:45 a.m. Staging for Opening Ceremony
9:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony with Law Enforcement Torch Run
10:00 a.m. Competition Begins
1:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony Begins
4:00 p.m. Event Ends

*Media planning on attending the event should contact Matt Ruxton or Dan MacPherson. Media attending the competitions at Gillette Stadium can check in at the registration tables located in the NRG Plaza by the lighthouse.

ABOUT THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation is the non-profit organization established by Robert Kraft in 1994 to support charitable and philanthropic agencies throughout New England. This support comes in the form of direct grants and the donation of signed memorabilia to charitable causes, and from Patriots players who offer their direct support by appearing at charity functions throughout the year. The Foundation's primary goal is to support programs that aid the youth and families of the New England region by assisting programs that foster cultural diversity, education, family and health. The Foundation has taken special interest in youth programs that encourage education, creativity and development of character. For more information, please visit www.patriots.com/community.

ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS MASSACHUSETTS

Special Olympics Massachusetts provides year-round sports training, athletic competition, programming nearly 12,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics athletes are given continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. More information is available at www.specialolympicsma.org.

Teams Competing: