LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 18: Owner Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots greets fans on the Patriots' sideline before his team's game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 30-24. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesA Milford resident spent Christmas Eve in the owner's box at Gillette Stadium next to New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft.
Jerry Edmond, a Foran High School and Central Connecticut State University alumnus, received an invitation from Kraft to watch Saturday's game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals after a video of Edmond being heckled by a Las Vegas Raiders fan last Sunday went viral.
The 49-second video shows a woman screaming in Edmond's face after Chandler Jones scored the winning touchdown against the Patriots. Edmond, sporting his No. 12 jersey at his first-ever NFL game, stood silent and turned his face away.
"I didn't want to ruin my experience by retaliating towards that women so I kept my cool," Edmond tweeted after the video blew up on social media.
Raiders president Sandra Douglass Morgan praised Edmond's behavior in a statement on Wednesday.
"On behalf of the Raiders, we appreciate the way you conducted yourself. No fan should have to endure that type of behavior. We will be in touch,” she said.
In addition to an invitation to Saturday's game, Kraft offered Edmond a customized jersey and pregame field passes to watch warmups.
“What you did was so classy, and you represent what our whole franchise is about, building bridges,” Kraft said to Edmond in a video of them meeting at Gillette Saturday, which was posted on the New England Patriots' twitter page.
The video shows Kraft gifting Edmond the jersey and inviting him to watch the game from his suite.
“It’s kind of cold, how about if you come to our suite and watch the game there?” he said.
The Patriots lost 22-18 when Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled the ball at the Bengals' 8-yard line with 59 seconds remaining. But Edmond will be looking back on the game fondly.
“Words cannot express how grateful I am for this experience," Edmond tweeted after the game. "I want to thank @BabzOnTheMic, @patriots, and everyone that was so kind to me and pushing this story out there with their comments I will never forget this moment. Thank you . God Bless you all and Happy Holidays."
Edmond revealed in an interview with podcast host @BabsOnTheMic that rapper Jay-Z FaceTimed him during the game and told Edmond to continue being himself.
"Good deeds never go unnoticed," Edmond said in the interview.