Jason McKeon of Haverhill is 22.
He’s almost old enough to date Bill Belichick.
McKeon last month graduated from UMass-Lowell. There, he studied business administration, finance, and international business. He’s now working in the social media marketing space. That’s a perfect fit for this young man, who as a boy became the social media face of an entire generation of New Englanders born and raised in an era where time is marked by trophies, not tears.
Parades, not pain.
Delight, not despair.
Today, Jason witnesses the 13th championship parade/celebration since his birth in the weeks before Tom Brady and the Patriots won Super Bowl 36.
He plans to be with his dad in their regular spot near City Hall. In full view of the TV cameras and smartphones absorbing the Celtics Duck Boat parade that begins near TD Garden at 11 a.m.
We first introduced you to Jason back in the day on John Henry’s website in February of 2015. At that time he was at the “13 Years Old – 9 Parades” stage after the Patriots won Super Bowl 49. We caught up with him again in 2017 and 2019 in this space.
Jason’s sign debuted 13 years ago. “9 Years Old – 7 Parades” was the visual post seen round the world after the 2011 Bruins won the Stanley Cup. That completed Boston’s 21st Century Grand Slam.
Jason and his dad have attended nearly all of Boston’s public championship celebrations since the Patriots rally at City Hall in early 2002.
The sign was his dad, Stephen’s, idea.
“My dad wanted a way to show just how super dominant Boston’s sports teams were,” Jason said. “So he came up with the sign.”
It is now a post-championship celebratory staple. As much as those Duck Boats, beer spikes, and breathless commentary on the region’s TV stations.
Jason was christened “Patrick McGillicuddy” by Barstool Sports personality Kevin Clancy. “Patrick” personifies all that is arrogant, annoying, and dare we say “obnoxious,” about this 21st Century breed of Boston Fandom.
The type of kid you love to hate if you’re from New York, Ohio, or California.
“My haters are my motivators,” Jason said.
Little wonder why the world hates us. Less wonder why we don’t care.
He is a young man indeed baptized in the faith of Brady, Belichick, Big Papi, Brad Marchand, KG, Paul Pierce, and now, Jayson Tatum.
And true to form, his favorite parade is the next one.
“One hundred percent I know for a fact (today’s) Celtics parade will be the biggest. It’s been five years since the last one. It’s going to be crazy. It’s going to be awesome.”
As Boston’s interminable championship drought lingered into its sixth year, McKeon said his belief in Boston becoming Titletown again never wavered.
Being unencumbered by the four score and six years of Red Sox futility, the woes of the 1990s, and a Patriots team that played its home games in places like Fenway Park and Harvard Stadium, allows for endless optimism denied those of us past a certain age.
“I had faith, I knew we were going to come back, This Celtics team is looking good. I hope we can turn into a dynasty,” he said.
Dynasty. That word has long been banished in New England. Save for the men’s and women’s basketball teams in Storrs, Connecticut.
Jason’s dad, meanwhile, is 62. He knows.
“My dad told me at multiple points there were some huge droughts. Like the 1990s,” Jason said. “I’m super lucky. The Boston teams have performed well.”
Super-duper lucky, actually.
McKeon’s favorite parade participant is, to no one’s surprise, Brady.
“He’s the GOAT. 100%. Brady was my favorite.”
McKeon has an older brother and a younger sister. This middle child has done his best to stand out in any crowd.
McKeon rode a social media surge this week on both his personal channels and elsewhere. This week he’s been interviewed by WBZ-TV and Fox 25. He’ll enjoy his place among perhaps a million or so of his fellow Celtics fans today in Boston.
And once again, his will be a sign of the times.
Bill Speros (@RealOBF and @BillSperos on X) can be reached at bsperos1@gmail.com.
