New England Patriots to Hold Moment of Silence for Victims of Brown University and Bondi Beach Shootings
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots will pause before their Sunday afternoon game to hold a moment of silence honoring the victims of two recent and tragic mass shootings — one at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and the other at a Hanukkah Festival in Bondi Beach, Australia.
Brown University, located less than 30 miles from the Patriots’ home stadium and training facilities in Foxborough, was the site of a deadly attack on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Multiple people were killed and several others wounded in a shooting inside a classroom, marking a devastating event for the local community and the nation. The Buffalo Bills, the Patriots’ AFC East rivals and Sunday’s opponents, had been staying in Providence at the time of the shooting. Fortunately, no members of the Bills’ traveling party were injured, though the team remained at their hotel as a precautionary measure.
On the other side of the world, Australian authorities are investigating a mass shooting at a Hanukkah Festival in Bondi Beach, Sydney, which occurred on Sunday, December 14. The attack, which officials have classified as terrorism, targeted Jewish attendees including women and children. At least 12 people were killed and 28 others hospitalized after two gunmen opened fire from an elevated position. This tragic event is considered the worst attack against Jewish communities in Australia since the Hamas terror attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023.
The Patriots’ decision to hold the moment of silence reflects the deep impact these tragedies have had on the team and its leadership. Robert Kraft, the team’s owner, is well-known for his outspoken support of Jewish causes and efforts to combat antisemitism. Kraft founded the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate, an organization dedicated to monitoring and fighting hate crimes and discrimination. His commitment to these causes resonates strongly amid the current climate of rising antisemitism both in the United States and abroad.
“This was supposed to be a day when we focused solely on football,” a Patriots spokesperson said, “but the horrifying events at Brown University and Bondi Beach remind us of the broader challenges facing communities everywhere. We stand united in honoring those who lost their lives and those affected by these senseless acts.”
The Patriots’ gesture is part of a growing trend among sports organizations to use their platforms to acknowledge and respond to acts of violence and terrorism. The team’s recognition will take place just before kickoff against the Buffalo Bills, a game that carries significant playoff implications in the fiercely competitive AFC East division.
For more information on the Brown University shooting, visit the FBI’s active shooter resources. Details on the Bondi Beach attack and counterterrorism efforts in Australia can be found through the Australian Department of Home Affairs. To learn more about the Patriots’ community initiatives and Robert Kraft’s work against hate, visit the New England Patriots official community page and the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate.
As the Patriots prepare to face their longtime rivals, the moment of silence will serve as a solemn reminder of the fragility of peace and the importance of solidarity in the face of tragedy.
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