Former Pats Player Reminds Attleboro Students that Words Do Hurt

Students at one Attleboro middle school were treated to a visit by a special guest on Friday afternoon. Former New England Patriots Player, Ed Ellis, made a surprise appearance at to encourage students to respect one another. The visit was part of Brennan's Blackout Day, where students wore black shirts to show their pledge to ending the use of the "R" (retard) word.

After watching a slideshow presentation of the play, which featured students from Brennan's Best Buddies program, students heard from the New England Patriots player, also an Attleboro stubstitute teacher.

"Say it with me, sticks and stones may break my bones but names do hurt me," Ellis told the students during lunchtime.

Ellis, an Attleboro resident who played for the Pats from 1997 to 2000, told the students that they need to be kind to one another and that there is too much bullying going around in schools across the nation. 

One by one students who were caught by teachers earlier in the week committing "acts of kindness" were recognized and rewarded with bracelets, T-shirts and a photo opportunity with Ellis.