FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (January 19, 2017) – The New England Patriots honored longtime fan and HERO Campaign supporter Rick Glasheen of Harwich, Mass. as their Designated Driver of the Season in a ceremony at Gillette Stadium before the divisional playoff game against the Texans on Saturday, January 14th.

Glasheen was chosen as the Patriots’ Designated Driver of the Season from fans who signed up during Patriots home games and took the HERO Pledge to be a designated driver. The Patriots registered more than 22,400 designated drivers at Gillette Stadium this season in partnership with the HERO Campaign, Team Coalition and Arbella Insurance.

“As a veteran myself, I’m proud to support the HERO Campaign in memory of Naval Academy graduate John R. Elliott,” Glasheen said. “The meaning of a designated driver really hit home for me recently when a close friend was struck by a multiple-offender drunk driver.”

Glasheen, who has been a Patriots season ticket holder since 1995, took the HERO Pledge to be a designated driver at the October 16th game against the Bengals.

“I’ve been sober for 14 years this month,” he said. “Being a designated driver is very important to me.”

Glasheen was given a personalized game ball during the ceremony, and will be following the Patriots to Houston, Texas if the team advances to the Super Bowl this year, in addition to receiving a prize pack with items from the Patriots, TEAM Coalition and Arbella Insurance.

The New England Patriots registered 22,466 designated drivers at the HERO Campaign/TEAM Coalition booths at Gillette Stadium this season, the most signed up by any NFL team. Above, New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, center, is joined by Gillette Stadium HERO of the Year Rick Glasheen (with football) of Harwich, Mass. At Glasheen’s right are HERO Campaign representatives Rob Consalvo and Scott Smith of Boston.